Family dynamics and implications for young people's 'struggles' in rural areas of post-conflict northern Uganda

A growing body of literature on wartime social change reveals how disruptions in social institutions can have post-war effects, but there is limited knowledge of how such changes shape the lives of rural young people. The Acholi region of northern Uganda experienced two decades of armed conflict and forced displacement (1986-2006). This paper draws on qualitative field research to analyse the influence of family dynamics on the educational and livelihood trajectories of Acholi youth in rural areas, during and after the war. It demonstrates how young people's opportunities during the war were directly affected by insecurity, and indirectly through the disruption of family life. By 2020, young people are still 'struggling': they work hard to respond to family obligations, which ultimately undermines their chances to progress. The social embeddedness of young people in family relations mediates the ability of young men and women to harness opportunities in a context of underdevelopment.