Living in the Arid Dryland through the Eyes of Young People in East Nusa Tenggara: A Narrative Study

Abstract

It is undeniable that humans and the environment interact with each other. The environment affects of people’s behavior who inhabit a place, and conversely, human behavior affects the environment. For example, an arid environment poses unique challenges to the people living in the area. One of the biggest challenges is the need for water. Individuals must adapt to survive in dry environments and limited water sources. The purpose of this study is to explore the lived experiences of young people living in arid environments. The selection of young people as the subject of this study is based on the fact that young people are an important element in the fabric of society and the starting point of development. A total of five female and three male young people, living in the dry environment for 17-21 years were involved in the research. A narrative research approach was used to understand the stories of life experiences in the dry environment. Data was collected using in-depth interview techniques. Thematic analysis was used to categorize the informants' personal experiences. The results showed that although some young people migrated outside the area, the dry, barren and rainy living conditions did not make the informants despair and leave their area. The desire to overcome life's challenges but having limited knowledge and skills to manage the dry environment is becoming the main conflict of young people. All informants agreed that the problems and impacts of the dry environment need to be addressed. However, the way young people perceive the problem affects their sensitivity to control over the problem. Three had internal locus of control and five had external locus of control. Further, in-depth research on the meaning of the content of the stories, the existence and role of young people in their environment, for example, still needs to be done.