IRIS e.V.

The first phase gave an overview over structural and institutional factors of transitions by secondary analysis. The second phase consisted of a questionnaire among young people at the end of their educational transitions, generating data on their living arrangements and on their attitudes concerning education, work, dependency and family relationships. The third and most important phase of the project has been on the one hand qualitative interviews with young women and men regarding family support and the influence this support has on their transition-related decisions. On the other hand, interviews with one or both parents of these young people have been carried out. The content analysis of these semi-structured interviews followed a common thread of codes in order to facilitate the international comparison.

The study provided insights into two issues which are both central for social integration, but which up to now hardly have been analysed as interrelated: Family and Transitions of young women and men into work. Country-related as well as comparative reports have been elaborated, on national structures, on patterns of dependency and support, and above all on the ways, both generations evaluate this situation. Results have been published in the respective countries and made available for different target groups, such as policy makers, practitioners, and the scientific community. Results have been presented on a European Seminar (the European Observatory on Family), and on various national conferences.

Contact at IRIS: Dr. Barbara Stauber, Dr. Andreas Walther