LECTURE: Experiences and trajectories of young people in a rural region of Canada

This lecture will presents the results of a research on the experiences and trajectories of young people (16-30 years old) in a rural region of Québec. We will focus in particular on the socio professional integration in the labour market, which is an element at the stake of different phenomena taking place at various levels: globally (such as the economic crisis or some decisions of multinationals firms affecting their local presence) nationally (policies and state interventions etc.) and locally (characteristics of the population, local resources and local economic structure etc.). Indeed, the way global phenomena are locally crystallised is essential. Having this perspective, we will pay particular attention at 3 different dimensions: a) individual characteristics (age, gender, health status etc.) b) family c) and space (rural region).

Unemployment rate for young people is often higher in rural communities compared to urban contexts. Although it is generally declining since 1997, rural youth remains more affected by it than their peers in urban contexts. It is important to remind how regional and territorial factors (space) might also act on the family and individual dimensions (age, gender etc.), structuring specific patterns for households and individuals. We will observe how these dimensions may structure different trajectories and experiences for young people. In the first part, through statistical data, we will analyse the different household profiles connected to the poverty risk, considering in particular income poverty. Then, the aim is to examine the conditions through which the situation of young people could be endangered in terms of poverty and exclusion. In particular, the exclusion from the labour market, but also the segmented position they can occupy in it (bad quality jobs, services…). This second part of our study is conducted through a qualitative approach and in particular: in-depth interviews with 30 young men and women, as well 20 people among social workers and practitioners.