Becoming an Adult in Europe

Key messages:

• Policy proposals for young Europeans should be based on a life course perspective. Challenges faced by individuals should be seen as a consequence of a series of intertwined life events that occur within particular policy, socio-economic and cultural contexts.
• Independence in young adulthood should be viewed as a multi-dimensional concept, which includes residential, economic and psychological independence. 
• Securing employment for young people should remain a top priority on the European policy agenda. However, stable and well-paid jobs, and income protection should be promoted equally. 
• In terms of housing, leaving the parental home does not mean that individuals have reached full residential independence. A stable and sustainable housing situation should be the target.
• Local initiatives supporting young people should be further promoted. These should be sensitive to individuals’ gender, ethnicity and education.

References:

• Arundel, R., and Lennartz, C. (2017): Returning to the parental home: Boomerang moves of younger adults and the welfare regime context. In: Journal of European Social Policy 27(3) 276–294.
• Berrington, A., Duta, A. and Wakeling, P. (2017): Youth social citizenship and class inequalities in transitions to adulthood in the UK. In: CPC Working Paper 81, Southampton: ESRC Centre for Population Change.
• Billari, F.C. and Liefbroer A.C. (2010): Towards a new pattern of transition to adulthood? In: Advances in Life Course Research 15 59-75.
• Billari, F.C. and Tabellini G. (2010): Italians are late. Does it matter? In Shoven, J. B. (ed.): Demography and the Economy. Chicago: University of Chicago Press 371-412.
• Eurofound (2014): Mapping youth transitions in Europe. Luxembourg: Publications Office of the European Union.
• European Commission (2017): Employment and Social Developments in Europe 2017. Brussels: European Commission.
• Eurostat (2017): Young People: Social Inclusion. Luxemburg: Eurostat.
• Gaebel, M. and Stoeber, H. (2016): EUA Member Consultation. A Contribution to the ERASMUS+. Brussels: European University Association.
• Gauthier, A.H. and Emery, T. (2016): The Generations and Gender Programme. Past, present and future. Demos: bulletin over bevolking en samenleving 32 (7) 6.
• Holland, J. and De Valk, H. (2017): Differences in labour force participation by motherhood status among second-generation Turkish and majority women across Europe. In: Population Studies, Online First: 10.1080/00324728.2017.1319495.
• Kleinepier, T., Berrington, A., and Stoeldraijer, L. (2017): Ethnic Differences in Returning Home: Explanations From a Life Course Perspective. In: Journal of Marriage and Family 79 (4) 1023–1040.
• O’Reilly, J., Moyart, C., Nazio, T. and Smith, M. (2017): Youth Employment: STYLE Handbook. CROME: University of Brighton, Brighton.
• Schwanitz, K. (2017): The transition to adulthood and pathways out of the parental home: A cross-national analysis. In: Advances in Life Course Research 32 21-34.
• Thévenon, O. (2015): Aid policies for young people in Europe and the OECD countries. FamiliesAndSocieties Working Paper 34.
• Thévenon, O. and Neyer, G. (eds) (2014): Family policies and diversity in Europe: The state-of-the-art regarding fertility, work, care, leave, laws and self-sufficiency. FamiliesAndSocieties Working Paper 7.
• Vignoli, D., Rinesi, F. and Mussino, E. (2013): A home to plan the first child? Fertility intentions and housing conditions in Italy. In: Population, Space and Place 19 (1) 60–71.
• Zimmermann, A. (2015): Demographic change on the political agenda of the European Commission. Population Europe Discussion Paper Series 2/2015, Berlin: Population Europe.