New aspects of socio-economic and professional integration of young unemployed: The generation at a disadvantage

Abstract

This paper investigates the effects of factors which socially disadvantage the young unemployed. Studies on school and work experiences of disadvantaged youth make it clear there is no single problem of a cycle of disadvantage. Factors such as chances at birth, house and neighbourhood, family circumstances, ill-health and physical development, and school experience and parental interest, crucially influence the process of growing up. The author questions what happens to the needs of the individual when unemployment causes a sudden change in the individual's habitual social structure.