YOU CAN TAKE THE GIRL OUT OF THE COUNTRY
Why young rural women are not sticking around in their regional hometowns
Post by the amazing Georgia Honan from our blogger team.
The Australian country town was once the lifeblood of Australia. The booming heart of an otherwise unremarkable landscape.
These towns, aside from being a supplier of essential items, were a place of connection for those otherwise isolated to come together, share a beer on a Friday night, play a game of footy on a Saturday morning or head to church on a Sunday.
Country towns were the epitome of the stereotypical Australian spirit. They brought together the Aussie battlers who had spent their years working the land, the young families who wanted a new lease on life, the wholesome oldies, the tradespeople and the unassuming publicans.
But we look at rural towns now and see a completely different picture. Evidence of past successes crumbling in the main streets. Local pubs closing their doors, footy teams moving away, and loyal churchgoers asked to attend larger neighbouring services.
It is not just the towns which have seen better days. As some of our most experienced farmers sell up and move to the cities, frustrated and disheartened by a lack of support, arable Australian farmland is left open to the prospect of foreign investment, where it can be run into the ground.
Our aging population, combined with the migration of young people, is at the core of our dying regions.
According to 2016 Census data, people aged 15-24 are the most migratory in Australia, with over 50% of this demographic changing their residence between 2006 and 2011. These trends increase when looking at rural to urban migration, and increase again when focussed on women specifically. It is estimated that 55.6% of young rural women changed their residence in this five-year period alone.
Many regional families choose to send their children to school in a major city, where they are likely to receive a better-quality education.
But, for many, and for women particularly, a lack of career opportunities prevents their return.
The Productivity Commission reveals that it can be hard for young people to find work in their field of tertiary study. Many are reluctant to return to their regional hometown, where there may be limited opportunities to use their degree.
One study determined that many young women who move away from regional areas to pursue an education become “sceptical of their ability to maintain a fulfilling career if they made the return”. Meanwhile, their male counterparts felt more of an ownership toward their hometowns, more likely to return, in order to “make it a better place” and fulfil their sense of perceived “responsibility”.
The same trends often apply for those who do not possess tertiary qualifications, and who never move away for school or university.
There are countless reports of women struggling to find work in rural areas, with predominant industries such as agriculture, manufacturing, mining or construction being traditionally male-dominated, and hard for women to break into.
We cannot afford to ignore the challenges faced by young women in rural communities.
There is no doubt that women are untapped assets who will be quintessential in rebuilding regional communities.
However, without issues surrounding career prospects, social stigmas and health care being addressed, our regions risk continued uncertainty, and a continued exodus of young women.
Featured image by Georgia Honan.