The period when the interviews were carried out, coming as it did when the young people were between 18 and 24, with most in the 20 to 22 age range, came at a time of transition, in terms of both working and social lives. This chapter is about the choices that were made around leaving school, entering work and/or training and deciding about future careers. Table 4.1 shows the status of the young people at the time of the interviews with both the parents and with the young people. These figures form the basis for much of the information in this chapter, therefore both sets are presented.

On first inspection, this would seem to paint an optimistic picture. Two-thirds of the sample were in employment and less than one in ten were unemployed. Figures such as these, showing as they do a picture of apparently high levels of employment, conceal a less encouraging picture of frustration and disappointment. Many parents felt their sons or daughters to be underemployed and not to have jobs that matched their capabilities.