A new research publication by Margarita Fontecha, Silvia Sarapura‑Escobar, and Ryan Gibson published in the Journal of Rural Studies invites us to rethink what “rural life” really means in parts of Colombia where licit and illicit economies coexist. Using participatory methods grounded in theories of agency and intersectionality, the authors center the experiences and aspirations of rural youth from the community of La India. Rather than treating them as passive or marginal, the study listens to their voices: their hopes for education and opportunity, their desire for stability, and their dreams of paths beyond a life dictated by structural inequality and conflict.

The findings reveal tensions. On one hand, many young people dare to imagine futures shaped by personal ambition—urban migration, stable jobs, or education. On the other, social norms, gender inequalities, limited infrastructure, and a decades-long history of violence and exclusion make such futures feel out of reach for many. The research emphasizes that rural youth are not a monolithic group: gender, social support, and proximity to institutions dramatically affect whether their aspirations can flourish.

Learn more about the publication at https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0743016725003857.