Tranziţia tinerilor la viaţa de adult în condiţiile crizelor prelungite

Abstract

The article presents the contextual and survey data analysis of youth transition in protracted crises that hit the country in the last decades. These crises have had a crucial impact on the life-course pathways of young people, both by delaying and accelerating them. It is mainly due to economic trends and social development, demographic processes, family well-being, access to resources, functioning of state institutions, and public policies. This paper conceptualizes youth transitions to adulthood for young people in the situation of protracted crisis, suggesting that major challenges at regional and local levels can not only modify, disrupt, or delay certain life events but can also have a detrimental effect on young people's wellbeing and aspirations for their future. The article analyzes the main social, economic, and demographic indicators that have an impact on youth transition to adulthood. As well, the article draws upon the results of a national-representative survey of 600 young people aged 15-35 years, selected from 21 urban and rural localities. Data analysis highlights that the unstable socio-economic situation of the country, exacerbated by the regional crises and challenges, has led to the worsening of young people’s material conditions and resulted in increasing uncertainty about their future. In order to cope with the multiple and interconnected problems many young people have expressed their intentions to emigrate abroad. The migration intentions are significantly higher among younger population groups and those that are more pessimistic about the country’s future. This can have multiple socioeconomic, political, and cultural consequences, undermining the opportunities for sustainable development of the country. The article was elaborated within the State Program Project (2020-2023) 20.80009.0807.21 „Migration, demographic changes, and situation stabilization policies”.