More Unintended Consequences
A recent survey revealed that Gen Z (born 1997-2012) spends, on average, less than an hour outdoors on weekdays and many can go days without leaving their homes. By contrast, members of Gen X (born 1981-1996) average more than an hour outside, with time outdoors still part of daily life. Nearly 70% of young adults say they regularly spend multiple days entirely indoors, citing bad weather, lack of time, and discomfort with being alone. At first glance, this might seem like a lifestyle quirk. In reality, I think it signals how profoundly our patterns of movement, socialization, and engagement with the world have changed with serious implications for civic life. Time outdoors has always been about more than exercise or fresh air. Parks, sidewalks, and playgrounds have historically been places where neighbors meet, children play, and civic bonds form. Athletic fields and the front porch were once shared spaces where democratic hab...