untitled.pdf (133.87 kB)
Rural youth in southern Nigeria: fractured lives and ambitious futures
Version 2 2023-06-12, 08:06
Version 1 2023-06-10, 01:07
journal contribution
posted on 2023-06-12, 08:06 authored by Barbara CrossouardBarbara Crossouard, Mairead DunneMairead Dunne, Carolina SzypCarolina Szyp, Tessy Madu, Bela TeekinThis article draws on recent research (2017–20) into the livelihoods and imagined futures of rural youth in four communities in southern Nigeria. The research involved observations, sex-segregated focus group discussions and individual interviews. Taking up insights from sociologists of education and work, our analysis shows how rural youth simultaneously navigated schooling, farming, low-paid vocational work and family obligations in ways that were highly gendered. We show the gulf between youth’s daily lives and their imagined futures, and how their desires for better lives, whether through ‘white-collar’ work or expanded farming activities, often involved moving to more ‘civilised’ or ‘developed’ contexts. Commitment to family nevertheless ran through youth’s narratives, in ways that reflected a deeply gendered, sexual economy. We conclude by highlighting the relevance of a connected sociology that embraces postcolonial and feminist scholarship to advance future studies of rural youth, gender and work in the Global South.
History
Publication status
- Published
File Version
- Published version
Journal
Journal of SociologyISSN
1440-7833Publisher
SAGE PublicationsExternal DOI
Issue
2Volume
58Page range
218-235Department affiliated with
- Education Publications
Full text available
- Yes
Peer reviewed?
- Yes
Legacy Posted Date
2021-09-24First Open Access (FOA) Date
2021-09-24First Compliant Deposit (FCD) Date
2021-09-24Usage metrics
Categories
No categories selectedKeywords
Licence
Exports
RefWorks
BibTeX
Ref. manager
Endnote
DataCite
NLM
DC