Premium
Is Out of Sight out of Mind? Place Attachment among Rural Youth Out‐Migrants
Author(s) -
Pedersen Helle Dalsgaard
Publication year - 2018
Publication title -
sociologia ruralis
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.005
H-Index - 84
eISSN - 1467-9523
pISSN - 0038-0199
DOI - 10.1111/soru.12214
Subject(s) - place attachment , ambivalence , context (archaeology) , danish , sociology , rural area , gender studies , psychology , social psychology , developmental psychology , geography , political science , linguistics , philosophy , archaeology , law
The article adds to the literature on youth migration within a rapidly changing rural society. Insights are presented on how multiple place attachment is reflected in the context of rural‐to‐urban migration in the lives of 14 Danish rural youth out‐migrants. Findings demonstrate that out‐migrants’ attachment to their rural childhood place must be considered ambivalent, in particular regarding how the young people identify with the places, as these are experienced as both nurturing and isolating and safe and restricted. This reveals the multidimensionality of the young people's relationship with place, as these contain both positive and negative elements, which are equally meaningful and contribute to place attachment. Further, the article contributes to the place attachment literature by offering insights into the significance of continuity in the context of migration, as old relationships and rural identities provide significant stability within the young people's lives and constitute important elements in their identities and multiple place attachment.