Out-migration: young Victorians and the family farm

Studies of the out migration of young people from rural areas rely heavily on the push and pull factors of the need to move for higher education and jobs. But the broad brush picture these studies provide misses much of the complexity of the young people's decision making. Questionnaire data and interviews with young people living on family farms in Victoria show that many would like to stay, but the fear of being seen to be a failure is a powerful force goading them to move, irrespective of their personal wishes.