I agree with you - I think that rural life is quite empowering, but can be quite isolating as well. I also think that cities can inspire a sense of independenc

I agree with you - I think that rural life is quite empowering, but can be quite isolating as well. I also think that cities can inspire a sense of independence and self-reliance - in NYC, many middle schoolers ride the subway alone. In my apartment, we fix things ourselves, and my 6 year old already has a working understanding of plumbing and electrical. She's also been exposed to a diversity of cultures and ideas, not all of them pleasant, but all educational. Overall, I find the suburbs to be the worst of both worlds - overprotective parents shuffling their kids in cars from scheduled activity to activity with other kids of a similar ethnic and socioeconomic background