Transcending an urban–rural divide: rural youth’s resistance to townization and schooling, a case study of a middle school in Northwest China

Abstract

Based on an ethnographic study in a rural middle school in Northwest China, the author explores how the transition of the rural countryside, specifically townization, has challenged the urban–rural dichotomy being reproduced in and by formal schooling. Rural students express criticism of the chaos, pollution, and corruption they have experienced during townization, which also penetrate the school walls and become part of their daily schooling experience. Students’ resistance to townization corresponds to their resistance to schooling. The author analyzes three groups of rural youth (conformists, reformers, and rebels), and how their resistance is limiting and even self-defeating, yet also has potential for being liberating.

Keywords:

• youth resistance
• townization
• rural China
• schooling