ABSTRACT
This chapter examines spatial variation of rural space in Czechia and the ways in which local rural context shapes how young people plan for and act towards their futures. The chapter outlines a spatial typology to classify the geography of rural Czechia. It then presents two case studies of youth aspirations in two different types of rural space. They find that youth in more rural areas are disproportionately dissatisfied with their life situation and often express a desire to live in a more urban setting. This is particularly the case with those rural youth not born in rural areas. Some study participants discussed local conservative political orientations, identifying them as a sign of underdevelopment and backwardness, making their positive identification with (rural) place more difficult. Overall the chapter suggests how youth aspirations and identities are embedded within the specificities of rural place, and in particular how the specificities of place may shape educational trajectories with regard to academic versus vocational and technical tracks.
