Abstract

Rural youth experience dilemmas as they grow toward adulthood which are uncommon to their suburban and urban peers and seldom treated in theory or research. Many of these arise from youth's membership in traditional rural communities which cannot offer sustaining work for their adult lives. This paper explores the forces of tradition and community on the one hand and the pressures to find work and to succeed in the "modern" world on the other as they shape the lives of rural youth. The discussion suggests an important interplay between native youths' lives and developmental paths and the survival of indigenous rural communities and cultures. After briefly noting the inadequacies of current theory and research in explainingthe psychological developmental of rural youth, the paper examines data on youth from one rural community. The examination includes patterns of choice open to youth and the variations among youths' interpretations of their options and their definitions of growing up. Finally, the paper suggests lessons for social service professionals as they help youth, their families, and their communities build constructive future lives

How to Cite:

Donaldson, G. A., (1986) “Do You Need to Leave Home to Grow Up? The Rural Adolescent's Dilemma”, Journal of Research in Rural Education 3(3), 121–125.

Rights: Copyright