The significance and meaning of family transitions for young people. The case of Serbia in comparative perspective

Abstract

The aim of this paper is to explore the significance and meaning given to family transitions: independence from the family of origin, partner relationships, marriage, and parenthood, during the transition to adulthood made by young people in Serbia. After discussing the theoretical issues related to family transitions within a life-course and individualization thesis perspectives, we perform our exploration by interpreting both quantitative and qualitative data related to the practice and normative models of transition to adulthood. We further discuss and explore the centrality of family transitions on a comparative level within the Balkan region. There is a contradiction within family formation trends between their demographic and ideational and relational levels in the region. There is also a crucial difference between the significance of family transitions (which is a common feature) and its diversified meaning. We conclude that various social contexts, the structural and cultural factors that influence family formation call for an alternative conceptualization of young people's transitions to adulthood.