The community itself may be unaware of basic population data and therefore of the skills and talents of its residents. In many traditional villages, bloodline allegiance and family-focused lives conflict with the group commitment necessary to bring a livelihood above subsistence level. Some residents may seldom take part in community life because of jobs in distant places, poor local transportation even for children attending schools a few kilometres away, or physical isolation in widely-scattered houses or small clusterings of families; all of which contribute to a sense of fragmentation. Powerful national identification is not reflected in a local community pride which would enhance the national pride already present. The songs and rituals of the nation find no supportive local community counterpart, but only in individuals or small groups. Residents see themselves as dependent on remote outside assistance which appears unresponsive because of a lack of overall understanding of procedures and available services.
Many small villages do not realize their potential as uniquely attractive places to both live and work; but as long as people continue to accept the inadequacies of their environment, development of such villages will be hindered.