Sexual orientation and migration intentions among rural, exurban and urban adolescents in Iceland

Bibliographic Data

ID15099191
AuthorsEinar Thorsteinsson (0000-0003-2065-1989, University of New England, corresponding author), Einar Baldvin Thorsteinsson, Thoroddur Bjarnason (0000-0002-1400-231X, University of Akureyri), Natasha M Loi (0000-0002-3561-1974, University of New England), Ársæll Már Arnarsson (0000-0002-5804-8416, University of Iceland)
Year2022
Volume24
Issue1
Pages31-47
Publication date2022-01-04
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessNo
TypeARTICLE
VenueCulture Health & Sexuality (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 1369-1058 • E-ISSN: 1464-5351
PublisherInforma UK Limited (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1080/13691058.2020.1813333
PMID32940149
OpenAlexW3087616924
LanguageEN
Citations received10
References cited62

Rural areas have often been assumed to be somewhat hostile territory for sexual minorities. As a result, moving to an urban area may be an integral part of "coming out" for those living in a rural area. However, surprisingly few quantitative studies have examined the level of rural-to-urban migration intent among sexual minorities. In this study, we examined the migration expectations of adolescents in Iceland, a country characterised by a heavy urban concentration and a scattered rural population, strong international ties and comparatively high levels of formal rights and public acceptance of sexual minorities. Based on a population sample of 2,858 students aged 15-16 years, we found no evidence of greater overall migration expectations among rural or exurban lesbian, gay, bisexual and questioning (LGBQ) youth than their urban counterparts. However, while urban LGBQ youth were more likely to move abroad, young people in other areas are more likely to move domestically. The results are discussed in the context of prior studies of sexual minorities in rural areas and migration expectations among rural youth

Demographic economics · Geography · Lesbian · Political science · Population · Rural area · Sexual orientation · Socioeconomics · Sociology · Demography · Gender Studies · Migration and Labor Dynamics · Migration, Aging, and Tourism Studies · Psychology · Rural development and sustainability · Social Psychology

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