THE PLACE OF THE YOUNG PEOPLE, BETWEEN PRESENT AND FUTURE

ABSTRACT

Over the last few decades, the socio-economic changes that have affected contemporary societies have had different impacts and outcomes for men and women who face complex scenarios. Welfare systems, when present, struggle to respond to the needs that emerge from different social groups, leaving them exposed to a strong sense of uncertainty and insecurity. The economic and financial crisis of 2008 and the COVID-19 pandemic accelerated these processes by increasing inequality. Young people represent the social group most affected by the consequences of these two crises, both in the short and medium-long term, both on material conditions and on the construction of identity and the attitude to planning the future. This article summarizes the main dynamics starting with some specific areas of change demographic changes, educations changes, labor market changes, and social participation changes. © Società Editrice Il Mulino.