The Impact of the Economic Crisis on Youth Trajectories

Abstract

This article analyzes the impact of the economic crisis on the patterns of transition followed by Catalan young people. In particular, it does so by examining to what extent the crisis has affected the extension, de-linearization, reversibility and diversification of their trajectories. These processes have been detected at the European level and are often linked to a context of greater opportunities. The article focuses on Catalonia, an example of a familistic youth regime. Results show that, in a context of crisis and for the Catalan case, transitions take longer, linearity and reversibility increase and, although vulnerability rises, the typical trajectories remain stable. Thus, risk avoidance, mostly through family support, has become even a more dominant strategy than during the expansive economic period. This reinforcement of the traditional pattern of transition, in which the family of origin has a central role, is expected to strengthen social reproduction.