Rural Youth Perspectives on Why Kids Disconnect

In the United States, policy makers refer to young people, between the ages of 16 and 24, who are disconnected from school or work as “opportunity youth.” Although researchers have documented demographic characteristics of this population, few empirical studies examine features of context that explain how youth become disconnected from education and employment. In this chapter, I present the voices of young people as they examine the phenomenon of “disconnection” in their rural community. I draw on qualitative data to describe how features of policy, practice, and place make it difficult for youth to experience feelings of belonging, develop valued social networks, and establish identities as productive community members. The chapter includes recommendations for sustaining youth engagement and interrupting pathways to disconnection.

In a small town, everybody knows everybody. If I make a mistake, and do something bad, everybody knows, everybody judges me. Why would I want to be involved in a place where I feel so judged?

— Youth participant