Becoming an Adult in Rural Scotland

This work posits that young people anticipate the transition to adulthood with a possible future adult self in mind and such orientation mediates their present decisions. Although there is a subjective emphasis by young people on individual negotiation and control in the construction of their possible adult selves, it is nonetheless demonstrated that traditional determinants of social reproduction such as class of origin, family background, place of residence and gender remain influential. Therefore there is utility in the concept of "structured possible selves". Through identifying the main issues young people in four rural areas face in becoming an adult, it is demonstrated that although there is some evidence of a biographical approach to the life-course, with some rural young people actively negotiating their way in a positive manner, others are acting through a paucity of alternatives. Living in a rural area adds further complexity to transitional decision-making as well as engagement in youth cultural behaviours hence prognosis of a dis-embedding of place and a decline in community and family ties is premature. The research suggests that there are not only some unique issues for rural young people as they become adults, but also that rural differentiation exists.