ABSTRACT
This chapter aims to report on the findings of two studies carried out in 2003 and 2013 respectively, which both focus on the transition of young Italians into adulthood. It deals with the comparison of the two projects provide an insight into several changes in the transitional pathways, especially on how the transition from school to employment and moving out from the parental home. There are two distinctive traits in the transitional model of young people in Italy: the fact that financial independence does not lead to leaving the parental home and the widespread absence of living arrangements that differ from cohabitation with parents prior to marriage. The process of transition to adulthood is comprised of different phases, such as entry into labour market, leaving parental home, forming a first union and entrance into parenthood. The young participants in 2003 appeared to be anchored to the concept of a linear and traditional transition, to be completed through marriage and parenthood.
