Movement from one place to another is one of the greatest causes of social change and social trends. When you move house, move interstate, or immigrate into a foreign country, the entire cultural background changes on you, to greater and lesser degrees. Moving your family on the back of a horse-drawn cart during ancient times, or taking a 747 to travel the world are all great eye-openers to the world’s culture and life experiences.

At various times in our history, small movements of a few citizens, or mass migrations have been caused by war or economic factors. Each decade in our history has its defining characteristics. The 1970s were known for self-expression, spiritual exploration, and social justice movements. The 2000s were memorable for the proliferation of social media and reality television, campaigns for same-sex marriage, anxieties about global warming, and the War on Terror.

Fast forward to the present day and we will see that many of the themes from the previous decades are still relevant. The good news is that our culture and society have evolved overall. We are achieving social justice milestones that would have been inconceivable in the past.
As the United States (US) continues to grow and change, here are some of the prevalent attitudes that may determine how our current decade will be viewed by historians.

Caring for the Environment

Climate change is now one of the constantly trending conversations in the US. Although the phenomenon has been a concern for many decades, it has generally not managed to sustain public interest. However, from the bushfires in California to the Arctic snowstorms in Texas, it seems that climate change is determined to stay in the spotlight this time.

Young people, worried that their “house is on fire”, are no longer content to sit back and hope for the best. Climate-related actions have evolved from specialized rallies, like the protests against the Keystone XL pipeline, to widespread and persistent calls for accountability on all levels.
On the government front, Americans want leaders to respond to the climate crisis with concrete solutions. Four years of climate policy apathy and regulatory rollbacks have resulted in a stronger sense of urgency and there is now powerful public demand for tangible action.

Aside from campaigning for corporations to be accountable for the waste and emissions they generate, Americans are also voting with their wallets for more sustainable businesses.
People are more aware of the impacts of buying local, adopting a zero-waste lifestyle, and participating in a circular economy. Goodbye to single-use plastics, fast fashion, and having one SUV per family member! Riding a bicycle and bringing their reusable shopping tote to the farmers market is not only a chic activity but also the new conscious way of life.

Part of this mindful lifestyle is the move away from instant gratification and an in-depth look at the way our essentials are produced. With the fate of bees and other pollinators in the balance, organic agriculture is more important than ever. In response to the environmental impact of animal agriculture, dairy alternatives are flooding the market.

Continuing this train of thought, many Americans have made the shift towards a plant-based diet. Fueled not just by environmental concerns but also ethics and personal health, it is estimated that the plant-based food market will increase to $6.43 billion by 2023.

Celebrating Each Identity

Now more than ever, diversity and inclusion are in the public eye. Americans are having more discussions about race, gender, sexual identities, class, and abilities. And they are demanding more representation and equality in sports, entertainment, and the workplace.

Gender consideration is likewise one of the significant themes that has emerged in the past few years. Gender identity is moving away from binary labels and adopting a more fluid and self-affirming structure. Breaking free of conventional stereotypes has allowed people to define their own gender and sexual identity and in doing so become more accepting of others.

Being authentic to the self has become recognized as an integral part of mental wellness. Self-care is now essential instead of optional. Mental health issues are gradually becoming destigmatized as more and more people want to support each other against the stressors of modern living.

With physical and mental wellness in mind, Americans are looking for a sea change that will bring them closer to nature and the spiritual peace they seek. Big business-driven cities appear to be losing their appeal as more people consider moving from New York to California or Illinois to Arizona.

Crafting Our Destiny

In former years, the seeking of employment was one of the major factors that influenced domestic migration. Since the Covid-era, however, work flexibility is allowing people to move somewhere else simply because they want to.

As remote work and creator culture take the country by storm, Americans are redefining the idea of gainful employment. Creativity is now a legitimate currency and technology has enabled creators to monetize their skills and craft. People want work-life balance and to be in control of their destinies. As a result, the spirit of entrepreneurship that is central to the US is re-emerging on a different scale.

The modern hustle economy is one where anyone can make a living with the skills that they possess. From flipping thrift store fashion to delivering groceries, people are bidding adieu to old corporate structures and running micro-businesses on their own terms. There is also a significant move to avoid currency altogether. Bartering, skills trading, and neighborhood cooperative projects are some of the ways that people are organizing to support each other and the community.

With the help of technology, there is optimism for a world where people are connected on a deeper level. As Americans combine their efforts to build the lives and society that we want, the 2020s may very well be viewed in retrospect as a roaring time of hope and promise.