Comparative Analysis of Misleading Trajectories

Abstract

The preceding chapter described the structural diversity of transition systems from a macro-perspective. This chapter consists of the reports from three cross-country working groups which had the objective to identify general aspects of misleading trajectories. Each report synthesises descriptions of national or regional transition systems with analysis of commonalities and differences in terms of the risks young people face in their transitions to work. The data for comparative analysis: institutional structure of transition systems, their ideological foundations and political developments, and the biographic perspectives different trajectories imply for the young people involved, was drawn from the national reports. Both group discussions and group reports were initiated by the written feedback produced by group members regarding the main differences from their individuals perspective (see also Chapter 1.3). However, the group reports differ in the perspectives in which comparative analysis evolves. The first group report comprises Italy, Great Britain and West Germany and takes an inductive approach. The second report refers to Denmark, Spain and East Germany and deductively applies the concept of the segmented society to these contexts. The third report describes an intermediate approach. Sensitising concepts derived from the relation between the modernisation of transitions and the disadvantage policies addressing the most vulnerable groups are introduced with regard to Ireland, the Netherlands, Portugal and the situation of migrant youth in Germany. Each of these reports has been produced jointly by the team members involved and therefore does not only function as one section of the overall book structure but may be considered as an individual piece of work in its own right.