Rural Deprivation

DEPRIVATION IS INADEQUATE access to various goods and services, including but not limited to food and money. Rural deprivation relates to the lack of adequate [Page 931]resources for people living in rural areas. Since poverty is more commonly associated with rural than with urban areas, rural deprivation is more common than urban deprivation and includes dimensions such as lack of transportation and telecommunications access, which urban areas are less likely to suffer.

Rural deprivation means the lack of access to transportation, technology, healthcare, education, and other social commodities that can keep a rural population in many countries from escaping poverty.

The divide between rural and urban has intensified in recent years, as capitalist development tends to take place in designated centers of activity, and market-friendly economic policies on a nearly global basis have acted to privilege the urban and exclude the rural. Economies of scale and scope affect the provision of nearly all goods and services and hence the measurement and consideration of rural deprivation can involve as many dimensions as may be measured. This also means that nearly all goods and services that are available are more expensive in rural areas, while income is frequently lower because of reliance on agriculture and other low-valued activities. Education and health services are high-cost services that are best provided in the context of scale economies. This is particularly true of specialist services, such as mental health and special needs education. Consequently, those in rural locations needing these services will almost certainly be required to travel to urban areas or be deprived. Since many rural locations appear unattractive as homes to professionals, posts are often difficult to fill and may be filled by necessity by improperly trained individuals.

Lack of affordable public transportation affects both the ability to access goods and services provided in regional centers—towns and villages—and also the ability to take goods to market. The availability of comparatively low-cost motorcycles has helped many rural people in developing economies to travel to nearby communities for wage labor during times of seasonal [Page 932]agricultural work. However, many people face personal isolation and reduced inability to access services.

The digital divide refers to the difference in access to educational and work opportunities and achievement dependent on availability of information technology and, particularly, the internet. Pupils in developed countries, for example, often receive assignments that require access to internet resources for full and timely completion. Workplace requirements can often be managed better through electronic communications. However, not only is coverage less likely, less reliable, and more expensive in rural locations, but for developing countries, lack of education and language skills may preclude use. Clearly, access to electronic cultural resources and productions will also be affected. Some governments have sought to tackle these issues through free radio and television educational programs and free or low-cost computers and software.

In the majority of societies, women's work is customarily defined as being within the household. Consequently, they have reduced ability to travel and this can lead to isolation and difficulties with childcare. Depression and spousal abuse are associated with this kind of situation. The reality of rural life is frequently different from the type of idealized rural lifestyles so common in popular culture around the world.

...