Young People s Development and the Great Recession: Uncertain Transitions and Precarious Futures

The 2007–8 financial crisis and subsequent 'Great Recession' particularly affected young people trying to make their way from education into the labour market at a time of economic uncertainty and upheaval. This is the first volume to examine the impact of the Great Recession on the developmental stage of young adulthood, a critical phase of the life course that has great significance in the foundations of adult identity. Using evidence from longitudinal data sets spanning three major OECD countries, these essays examine the recession's effects on education and employment outcomes, and consider the wider psycho-social consequences, including living arrangements, family relations, political engagement, and health and well-being. While the recession intensified the impact of pre-existing trends towards a prolonged dependence on parents and, for many, the precaritization of life chances, the findings also point to manifestations of resilience, where young people countered adversity by forging positive expectations of the future.

Ingrid Schoon is Professor of Human Development and Social Policy at the Institute of Education, University College London, and Research Professor at the Berlin Social Science Centre (Wissenschaftszentrum).

John Bynner is Emeritus Professor of Social Sciences in Education at the Institute of Education, University College London, and Executive Editor of the international journal Longitudinal and Life Course Studies.