Rural Roots, Urban Dreams? The Dilemmas of Migration, Place Attachment, and Social Mobility for Contemporary Youth
Zhang ludi

Zhengzhou Light Industrial University, Henan，Zhengzhou, 450000；

Abstract：In contemporary societies marked by rapid urbanization and entrenched regional disparities, rural-to-urban migration has become a dominant narrative of social mobility for youth. This paper critically examines the multidimensional dilemmas faced by young migrants from rural and small-town backgrounds as they pursue the “urban dream.” Drawing on concepts such as place attachment, social capital, and precarity, the study explores the structural drivers of migration, the emotional and institutional barriers to integration, and the contested outcomes of mobility.

While cities offer opportunities for economic improvement and personal development, the migration process often entails emotional dislocation, stigmatized identities, and fragile gains. Many migrants experience “suspended mobility,” in which material advancement is decoupled from symbolic or social inclusion. Others return to their hometowns, not necessarily as a result of failure, but as a strategy of re-rooting and redefinition in the face of structural ceilings and urban precarity.The paper argues that mobility for contemporary youth is not linear nor unidirectional, but rather negotiated through adaptive strategies, shifting values, and reconfigured aspirations. It calls for a reconceptualization of mobility that incorporates affective, spatial, and relational dimensions. The findings highlight the need for policy reforms that promote regional equity, reduce institutional exclusions, and support diverse forms of youth agency. Ultimately, understanding how youth navigate the tensions between rural roots and urban dreams offers critical insights into the geography of inequality and the evolving meanings of success.

Keywords: youth migration, social mobility, place attachment, urban inequality, rural-urban dynamics, precarity, hukou system

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