The Missing Link: Youth, Transportation, and Social Engagement in Benzie County, Michigan

Abstract

For youth in Benzie County, how does the lack of transportation create social isolation and discourage involvement in extracurricular activities? How do extracurricular activities affect youth development and well-being? Is there a connection, then, between availability of transportation and well-being for youth in Benzie County? As more people move to the suburbs and rural areas where youth mobility tends to be limited, it is important to understand how lack of transportation can affect youth and their opportunities. Even for youth in the city, where some activities may be located near population centers, many opportunities for social interaction require transportation by car. The topic of transportation for youth is an understudied topic that has important implications for the future and should be given more attention.