Citation

Edwards ME, Torgerson M, Sattem J. Rural Sociol. (1936) 2009; 74(3): 330-355.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2009, Rural Sociological Society, Publisher John Wiley and Sons)

DOI

10.1526/003601109789037204

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

Economic and demographic changes in rural areas continue to introduce big-city problems in small towns. These communities' ability and willingness to respond are likely to be influenced by the geography, culture, and array of organizations in rural places. But how these characteristics of rural places shape local response is hard to predict and as yet unexplored. This article reports data from interviews with social-service providers and homeless youth in a rural county in the northwestern United States, drawing insights from both groups about the challenges of providing social services in rural places. Findings about drug use, sexual abuse and prostitution in rural communities illustrate how aspects of a rural context can influence the way small towns address social problems.

Language: en