Path of Life in exploratory research: Experience with young people from rural communities in Bolivia

Abstract

The transition from youth to adulthood constitutes a pivotal period wherein projects and aspirations play a constitutive role in shaping life trajectories. In Bolivian rural contexts, structural determinants—such as educational inequality, migration, and limited vocational training opportunities—exert a profound influence on these trajectories. This article introduces the participatory technique “Camino de Vida” (Life Path) as an instrument for prospective exploratory research, implemented in the rural municipality of Tiraque, Cochabamba. Employing a qualitative approach, the study integrated group interviews and focus groups involving fifth- and sixth-year secondary students from four educational institutions. The technique facilitated the elucidation of personal goals (higher education, entrepreneurship, migration) as well as the enabling and constraining factors associated with them, thereby fostering dialogue and collective reflection. Findings reveal that, while youths receive moral support from their families, their opportunities are significantly constrained by economic limitations, the regional absence of higher education institutions, and social issues such as early pregnancy. Migration emerges as a prevalent strategy, albeit one perceived as risky. In this context, the envisioning of a future is necessarily negotiated amidst significant uncertainty. The experience confirms that the application of the “Camino de Vida” technique within intercultural contexts yields valuable insights, particularly in this specific case study.