Rural Youth: Benefits and Challenges Encountered Living in a Rural Setting: Geography Thesis, TCD, Ireland

Rural Youth: Benefits and Challenges Encountered Living in a Rural Setting.

State why the research issue in question is of interest,  The wellbeing and development of children and young people should always be one of society’s main priorities, however, still to this day, this issue is often overlooked. In terms of the geographical perspective of this conception, it is imperative for us to be conscious of differences and potential inequalities between juvenile’s in certain regions of Ireland over others. It is evident to see that place plays a pivotal role in this issue as people’s location, especially young people residing in rural settings, can have a considerable impact on the level of services and care that is available to these individuals. It is unjust to not allocate the same services to young people everywhere, despite the remoteness of their location.

Throughout my research, I will investigate the opportunities and disadvantages rural youth face on a daily basis and to what extent this has affected their personal development. Basic services such as public transport, health care, and mental health services, broadband, and sport and youth facilities should be accessible to all young individuals, and no priority is given to those living in urban areas. Along with this, it is important to note the vast difference between rural and urban life in terms of the level these services have even further decreased due to Covid-19. This topic is of particular interest to me as I am a young college student living in rural Roscommon and I feel I am at a particular disadvantage to those residing in urban areas.

Benefits for young people in rural areas:

There are various advantages and attractions which encourage young people to live in rural areas. One of the major benefits for students and young adults residing in rural domains is both the cost of housing and living is considerably lower in comparison to more urban locations. Another advantage to lodging in rural regions is they’re generally more quiet and peaceful in comparison to busy urban cities. This can be particularly beneficial for young people in relation to their mental health and also fewer distractions. Furthermore, rural areas provide more agricultural and food system job opportunities for young people and farmers.

Challenges for young people in rural areas:

Rural youth face many complex challenges on a daily basis. One distinct disadvantage for young people living in rural Ireland is the lack of accessibility to public services such as transport for example. Another consequence rural youth face is inadequate access to health care facilities as they often are not provided in their areas which forces them to have to travel to receive this basic service. Moreover, there is a deficiency in both education and job opportunities resulting in the majority of young people having to travel to urban areas to receive third-level education. In addition, another problem that young people in rural areas often suffer from is social exclusion as they are denied access to the same amount of cultural, social, leisure and sports facilities as those who reside in urban settings.