ERIC Number: EJ745847
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2006
Pages: 16
Abstractor: Author
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-1037-1656
EISSN: N/A
Available Date: N/A
Beyond Education and Employment: Exploring Youth Experiences of Their Communities, Place Attachment and Reasons for Migration
Eacott, Chelsea; Sonn, Christopher C.
Rural Society, v16 n2 p199-214 2006
The population in rural areas of Australia has been declining for many decades and it has become common practice to blame this decline on the migration of young people due to structural limitations (e.g. education and employment). This study explores factors associated with migration of youth from rural Victoria looking at their experience of place attachment, community satisfaction, rural culture and migration. Ten participants, four males and six females, were interviewed using a semi-structured guide; they had all relocated from rural Victorian communities to Melbourne. Thematic analyses of data led to the identification of two major thematic categories: migration dynamics and rural culture. Participants confirmed the lack of educational and employment opportunities as the main influences on rural youth migration. Interestingly it was found that all participants felt a sense of community satisfaction and attachment to place but still decided to relocate. Most expressed a desire to return to rural Victoria in the future. The potential of attachment to place and community are discussed as important points for community development initiatives aimed at addressing rural out-migration. (Contains 1 table.)
Descriptors: College Students, Rural Youth, Rural to Urban Migration, Foreign Countries, Student Attitudes, Influences, Employment Opportunities, Attachment Behavior, Educational Opportunities, Interviews
Centre for Rural Social Research, Charles Sturt University. Locked Bag 588, Wagga Wagga, NSW 2678, Australia. Tel: +61-269-332778; Fax: +61-269-332293; e-mail: crsr@csu.edu.au; Web site: http://www.csu.edu.au/research/crsr/f_journal.html.
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: Higher Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Location: Australia
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A
Author Affiliations: N/A