In which ways are the hopes and expectations of youngsters concerning adult life similar to the hopes and expectations of the previous generation? Or can we talk about a new "adult-hood" where youngsters try to find new ways to both balance life priorities and to negotiate the many barriers to achieve the "traditional markers" of adulthood that have arisen? How do youngsters prepare themselves in order to meet the challenges of adolescence and adulthood and succeed not only in a national but in a global environment?

The Youth research network aims to bring together researchers from the Nordic countries who address a broad scope of questions in the life situation of youngsters, including the ones above. The overall aim of the network is to contribute to the development of the Nordic youth research where it is both possible to apply approaches of a single discipline and to integrate insights, perspectives and methods from different disciplines. The network wishes in addition to initiate and facilitate a more intense dialogue between researchers conducting longitudinal and comparative studies on, for example, youngsters' educational pathways and entry into the labour market, including methodological issues.

(updated September 1, 2008)