I think it's partially cultural.

I'm a lifelong Minnesota resident. When I was a kid, we walked a half mile, stood by the road, and then eventually got picked up by the school janitor in an old painters van for the 15 mile ride in to school. Eight hours later, he would deposit us back at the same spot.

Even though weather patterns were a lot colder and snowier on average back then, as kids, we were a lot more outdoor oriented. We already had the protective clothing needed to withstand an arctic blast...like Canoedogs outfit only smaller. You didn't leave the house without buckle boots, scarf, hat, parka, and a set of 'choppers'. Girls wore sweaters, boots and leggings under their skirts, and carried their shoes. I still remember the daily mayhem at school of 'suiting up' for recess and then to go home. No school was complete without a couple of bushel baskets full of lost mittens.

I drive by a highschool every day, and I see kids walking that are woefully under dressed for the weather; in shorts, windbreakers or hoodies, and flimsy shoes.

Not only do they not have the needed heavy clothes, I doubt if they would wear them if they did.