ABSTRACT
Over the past few decades socio-economic change has resulted in labour market restructuring and there has been an associated rise in youth unemployment, which has not only contributed to a prolongation of young adults’ transition to employment but has also increased the risks within these transitions (see Furlong and Cartmel, 1997; Chisholm and Kovacheva, 2002). Today, young people not only have to cope with a longer period of financial dependency, they also have to cope with uncertainty over the suitability of their occupational choice in relation to whether it will provide them not only with an income but full social recognition as an adult member of society. In short, for a growing proportion of the younger generation the need for support has become increasingly necessary as transitions have become more prolonged and complex. While the need for support is increasing, the availability of formal support is in decline and therefore informal sources of support (material and emotional) through families, friends and wider social networks are regaining importance (Dey and Morris, 1999).
