Making Spanish young women’s transition to adulthood visible: a biographical analysis in times of crisis

Abstract

Spain has suffered greatly from the consequences of the economic crisis, and these have affected young people’s transitions to adulthood. Using a biographical approach, we have analysed the educational, labour and personal pathways of a group of young women aged 26–28 over ten years (2000–2010). The qualitative methodology and the biographical approach allowed us to categorise five models of transition to adulthood, constructed from the interaction and intersection of four analytical variables: the centrality of work (paid or domestic and care work), attitudes (more or less dependence), the prevalence of traditional gender roles and the centrality of education/training. These models are framed in a macroeconomic context of strong economic and social crisis characterised by precariousness, a shortage of jobs and labour instability. The results of this study allowed us to make visible the situation of young women in Spain while offering possible solutions to their clear disadvantages and social vulnerability.

Keywords

• gender
• youth transitions
• education
• vocational training
• over-qualification and employment