Kristiina Brunila

Youth on the Move Kristiina Brunila

The book addresses one of the most urgent social problems in many countries, the uncertain schoolto- work transitions of young people. As a result, a 'transition machinery' has been created, consisting of various education and training measures realised by e.g. teachers and youth workers.

The volume demonstrates that discourses related to youth transitions do not simplydescribeyoung adults butcreatethem. For example, young people are expected to be active citizens who make themselves attractive to employers, and those who failin doing so may be labelled having psychological deficiencies. When failing transitions, resulting in lack of higher education or unemployment, are treated as individual's problemsrather than rising from structural factors, the solutions are likewise individualized. The book thus underlines the importance ofanalysing power relations reflected by gender, health, social class, and ethnicity.

The articles of the book combine perspectives from young people, policymakers, teachers, and youth workers in Iceland, Finland, Sweden, and England.