—”Most of the employees there were aged 16 to 21.”
Seymour Indiana appears to be about 50 miles south of Indianapolis.
Guessing that 50 years ago this would have been ‘the sticks’.
A Mickey D’s job would be solid year-round employment in farm country.
IMO a different world from the big city/suburban existence.
My wife is from a similar town in the middle of nowhere Illinois. It is a pleasure to shop there, people appreciate the job.
Once while visiting I forgot my suitcase...off to the store... the clerk was pleasant and very helpful, mentioned where she lived.
My wife explained that because of flooding and bridge/road closing her commute was at least an hour longer each way!!!
Not many in Chicagoland would bother to show up when they can claim unemployment comp.
Your analysis is pretty accurate.
Also hometown of John Cougar Muskmellon.
The store where I worked was a few miles outside SW Portland. Businesses along the highways, otherwise mostly residential with a few remaining small farms and patches of woods. Lots more development now, of course.