Walter R. Heinz - Böcker

Structural transformations in the international economy and the restructuring of work have made the transition from education to employment increasingly problematic. School-to-work pathways have become more socially segmented and the risk of under-employment and joblessness has increased for both vocationally and academically educated youth. Continuous passages have become less common and have given way to multiple entries and exits between schooling and working, under-employment, unemployment and domestic work. This edited volume of empirical studies is based on a series of comparable longitudinal research projects which draw on survey and biographical data from important players in the international economy, the USA, Great Britain, Canada and Germany. The studies document that social and gender inequality is a persistent structural feature that restricts the possibilities to take advantage of educational opportunities and career options. Furthermore, different institutional arrangements are shown to play a crucial role in distributing transition opportunities in a more equal way.

Structural transformations in the international economy and the restructuring of work have made the transition from education to employment increasingly problematic. School-to-work pathways have become more socially segmented and the risk of under-employment and joblessness has increased for both vocationally and academically educated youth. Continuous passages have become less common and have given way to multiple entries and exits between schooling and working, under-employment, unemployment and domestic work. This edited volume of empirical studies is based on a series of comparable longitudinal research projects which draw on survey and biographical data from important players in the international economy, the USA, Great Britain, Canada and Germany. The studies document that social and gender inequality is a persistent structural feature that restricts the possibilities to take advantage of educational opportunities and career options. Furthermore, different institutional arrangements are shown to play a crucial role in distributing transition opportunities in a more equal way.

In an age when the next generation have worse prospects than those of their parents, this book appraises the challenges young people face resulting from the instability of their lives. Based on youth experience of education, employment and political participation in England and Germany, the book examines the impact of digitalisation in the context of rising inequality, accelerating technological transformation, fragile European institutions, growing nationalism and mental and economic stress arising from the COVID-19 pandemic. The insights gained point to young peoples’ agency as central to acquiring the skills and resources needed to shape their future in the digital society.

In an age when the next generation have worse prospects than those of their parents, this book appraises the challenges young people face resulting from the instability of their lives. Based on youth experience of education, employment and political participation in England and Germany, the book examines the impact of digitalisation in the context of rising inequality, accelerating technological transformation, fragile European institutions, growing nationalism and mental and economic stress arising from the COVID-19 pandemic. The insights gained point to young peoples’ agency as central to acquiring the skills and resources needed to shape their future in the digital society.

Der vorliegende Band ist ein Ergebnis der Arbeit der Berichtsgruppe "Individuelle Entwicklung, Sozialisation und Ausbildung" der Kommission für die Erforschung des sozialen und politischen Wandels in den neuen Bun­ desländern (KSPW). Diese Berichtsgruppe ging aus zwei Arbeitsgruppen hervor, die sich mit dem Einfluß des Transformationsprozesses auf die Kin­ der, Jugendlichen und Erwachsenen einerseits und auf das Bildungswesen andererseits befaßten. Der Bericht strebt an, durch eine Verbindung von Ent­ wicklungs- und Sozialpsychologie, Sozialisations-und Lebenslaufforschung sowie aus sozialwissenschaftlicher Perspektive das komplexe Feld der indi­ viduellen Wahrnehmung und Bewältigung des strukturellen Wandels in den neuen Bundesländern zu erhellen. Während die anfangliehe Arbeit sich dar­ auf konzentrierte, durch die Vergabe von Forschungsaufträgen in den neuen Bundesländern schon früh nach der Wende sowohl die Auswirkungen des Transformationsprozesses zu erfassen und damit zugleich die ostdeutsche sozialwissenschaftliche Forschung zu stabilisieren, war die Aufgabe der letz­ ten Jahre die Erstellung eines Berichtes über vorliegende Ergebnisse und be­ gleitender Materialien. In verschiedenen kleinen Tagungen der Berichtsgruppe zu den Themen dieses Berichtes - Kindheit, Jugendalter, Erwachsene, Bildung und Berufs­ verläufe - kamen geladene Experten zusammen, die aus ihrer Forschung be­ richteten und durch vielfältige Argumente zum Wissensstand der Berichts­ gruppe beitrugen. Durch die Vergabe von Expertisen, die teilweise in den begleitenden Materialbänden veröffentlicht werden, wurden Schwerpunkte der Arbeit gesetzt. Wissenschaftliche Mitarbeiter recherchierten die Literatur zu den Themengebieten, die weit über die von der KSPW geförderte For­schung hinausging, und werteten sie für die gemeinsame Arbeit aus. Dennoch konnten nicht alle anfangs gesetzte Ziele erreicht werden.