one mind virus that's taken over young people is "you're a loser if you don't leave your hometown".
it's become self fulfilling now where the highest achievers leave, and the lowest typically stay. but it shouldn't be that way and is hollowing out many towns

a society, culture, and family can't grow if each subsequent generation leaves to start again on their own. you need some multi generational continuation for any of these things to develop

just because low achievers stay home does not mean you're a low achiever if you do. but any status conscious person will know how that looks and move to the big city away from their family, even if it's to their detriment.

this onion article does a great job of explaining that way of thinking. http://local.theonion.com/unambitious-loser-with-happy-fulfilling-life-still-liv-1819575312