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They all existed within the greater (regional, national) social context. There still was freedom of movement even if at much greater cost. There were avenues for delinquents and outcasts to seek fortunes in the cities or even overseas. There was no overarching purpose imposed on their life other than the religion.

This is not to say that generation ship societies are doomed to fail but chances are decent.

The real question is what stops them from declaring independence and cutting ties with Earth. Especially after generations of people? They'd need strong ... propaganda, for lack of a better word.

Maybe that's why they seperate the ship into 5 indendent areas, each 480 people. So that at least one culture will survive for 400 years.