SELF-PERCEIVED NEEDS OF RURAL YOUTH IN PUNJAB, PAKISTAN

Abstract

Needs assessment is the systematic way to clearly defi ne the needs and the gap that exists between existing and desired situation. Although there are various youth organizations playing their part to realize young individuals about their needs and role they have to play in the society. However, these people are not receiving desired attention especially those who live in rural areas. This study was conducted in the Department of Sociology, Government College University, Faisalabad, Pakistan during the year 2014 to assess the self-perceived needs of rural youth. Sargodha district was selected for this study. The people between the ages of 15 to 32 (regarded as youth) were selected as respondents and were interviewed. From four different villages, 60 young individuals were selected randomly for data collection. The results concluded that rural youth was keen in promoting its needs at international level. These people were interested in highlighting their problems. Low schooling years among the rural youth was the major considerable point as 28% of the respondents completed only eight years of schooling while 27% completed their secondary education. Access to internet facility was negligible among available information sources to rural youth while young respondents had major access to printed material including books and other literature. Ensuring employment opportunities was top priority need of the rural youth ranked by the respondents. Regression model showed that access to information sources and need identification skills played a significant role in enhancing the knowledge level of the respondents about their needs.