Varda R. Mann-Feder - Böcker

The transition to adulthood is a longer and more complex process than it was just a few decades ago, and a growing number of youth and young adults experience significant challenges in the establishment of an autonomous and independent lifestyle when compared to previous generations. Successful high school graduation followed by employment is no longer the inevitable trajectory for young people, especially in the current socio-economic context where jobs are less accessible and more demanding in terms of specialized skills and higher academic qualifications. Unable to rely on family for emotional and financial support, vulnerable youth, who grow up in substitute care, are especially effected by the lengthening of this transition to adulthood. The dismal outcomes for youth growing up in care are by now well-documented, and more recently, a range of models have been proposed to help advance our understanding of these outcomes and how to forestall them. However, the literature on leaving care has long suffered from the absence of theory that could guide meaningful intervention. In response to this gap, Leaving Care and the Transition to Adulthood offers a comprehensive overview of the newest contributions to this area in relation to theory, in addition to the Theory of Emerging Adulthood, while also featuring cutting-edge research and best practices that support adjustment across a range of domains for this population. International in scope, this book focuses on bringing together major advances that span the literature on transitioning to adulthood within the care system, offering a unique and important contribution to the field.

What can we learn from the Global South and Global North about transitions to adulthood from substitute care? This book reflects two decades of work by the International Network on Transitions to Adulthood from Care (INTRAC) to advance academic research and policy reform on leaving care globally. It includes 32 country chapters, each providing background information and key statistics on children in care and care leavers based on available national data. The chapters examine existing legislation and policies that support care leavers, as well as diverse practice approaches to preparing for and supporting transitions out of care. Additionally, the chapters provide an overview of recent research, ranging from descriptions of extensive studies covering the past decade to more detailed accounts where research is indevelopment. Each chapter highlights the role of care-leaver organizations and youth participation in shaping systems of care. The book calls for dialogue between the Global South and Global North while considering changes in policy and practice in relation to differing contexts. The book constitutes an invaluable and unique resource for graduate students, researchers and practitioners who are seeking information on the status of care leaving across the world