This book explores what social justice looks like for rural schools in Australia. The author challenges the consensus that sees the distribution of resources as the panacea for the myriad challenges faced by rural schools and argues that the solution to inequality and injustice in rural settings has to take into account other important dimensions of social justice such as recognition and association. These include teachers’ concerns for issues of power, respect, and participation in their work that extend to policy-making processes and implementation; students’ post-school aspirations and, finally, parents’ hopes and fears for their children’s futures and the sustainability of their community. The book brings together political and social theory with education and youth studies, provides new insights about the complex nature of schooling in rural places, and makes a strong connection between schooling and the people and communities it serves.
Hernán Cuervo Livres


Focusing on a generation's experiences in rural Australia, this book explores how young people have navigated significant social, economic, and environmental changes over the past two decades. It highlights narratives of belonging and connection to their communities, challenging perceptions of rural life as merely disadvantageous. By examining participants from a longitudinal study who are now in their late thirties, the authors reveal the impact of family and place on their life choices, offering insights applicable to youth transitions in various contexts.