The Implications of Living in a Rural Area

A rural area can be described by several different characteristics: small population size, low density of the population, the area being a long distance from more populated areas, specific occupations, traditional values, and conservative ideas (Weil, p. 461). In many rural areas of Maine, there are "Declining Resource-Dependent Areas" (Weil, p. 462). While many communities relied on logging, agriculture, and manufacturing for economic prosperity, those sources of livelihood are dwindling. The jobs in these areas are not as available as they once were with advances in technology making these tasks more efficient and less reliant on human beings to complete.

These rural areas must look to other avenues to create jobs for its community members. Not only are there economic impacts for individuals living in rural areas, the social implications exist as well. Access to medical, mental health, and social services are limited. There is often a lack of public transportation in rural areas making it required for individuals to have their own modes of transportation. This is a financial barrier for folks who cannot afford their own cars or insurances.

The ethnic makeup of rural communities are generally not very diverse. In thinking of Maine, people of color are absent or exist in small numbers in rural communities. This can result in racism in rural communities, a lack of understanding of differences, and a community with an "invisible fence" around it (Weil, 463).

Social workers can play a role in helping to break down barriers in rural areas. Weil discusses that individuals living in rural communities are often very self-sufficient, self-reliant, and untrusting of those from the "outside" coming in to "help" (Weil, 466). In my work as a community case manager, I have seen this distrust first hand. While social workers have a wealth of knowledge about community resources and ways to connect individuals to the services they need, this knowledge will not be impactful if the social worker is unable to gain the trust of those community members. It is a barrier the social worker themselves will need to tackle in order to be successful in their work with the family. This might mean increasing visits, meeting the family wherever is more comfortable for them (in their home vs. in an office setting), and making your own connections in the community (visiting the local store, patronizing the local coffee shop).

 References

Weil, M. (2013). The Handbook of Community Practice. 2nd Edition.