Lőrinc, M. orcid.org/0000-0002-1679-8139, Ryan, L. orcid.org/0000-0003-1386-7212, D’Angelo, A. et al. (1 more author) (2020) De-individualising the ‘NEET problem’ : an ecological systems analysis. European Educational Research Journal, 19 (5). pp. 412-427. ISSN 1474-9041
Abstract
Periods of being NEET (not in education, employment or training) can have long-term consequences for individuals’ future job opportunities, earnings, psycho-social well-being and health, all with high societal costs. Therefore, policy-makers across Europe seek interventions that successfully reduce NEET numbers. Drawing on a longitudinal qualitative study in London, this paper explores the processes and mechanisms that contribute to young people becoming NEET after leaving education.
Through analysis of 53 young NEETs’ accounts of their school and transition experiences, we draw upon Bronfenbrenner’s ecological systems theory to explore the multitude of factors and structures of disadvantage that might have contributed to these young people’s marginalisation in education and employment. We discuss how unfulfilled support needs, a lack of career advice and socio-economic disadvantage can lead to educational disengagement, dropping out and, ultimately, becoming NEET. While many of these issues were presented as personal difficulties, in this article we reject the individualisation of the ‘NEET problem’. Instead, we argue that negative school experiences need to be understood in the context of structural conditions, including funding cuts in education and support services, transformations in the labour market and socio-economic deprivation.
Metadata
Item Type: | Article |
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Authors/Creators: |
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Copyright, Publisher and Additional Information: | © 2019 The Authors. This is an author-produced version of a paper subsequently published in European Educational Research Journal. Uploaded in accordance with the publisher's self-archiving policy. Article available under the terms of the CC-BY-NC-ND licence (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/). |
Keywords: | NEET young people; low attainment; youth transitions; ecological systems theory; socio-economic disadvantage |
Dates: |
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Institution: | The University of Sheffield |
Academic Units: | The University of Sheffield > Faculty of Social Sciences (Sheffield) > Department of Sociological Studies (Sheffield) |
Funding Information: | Funder Grant number European Commission - FP6/FP7 SSH-CT-2011-1-320223 RESL.eu |
Depositing User: | Symplectic Sheffield |
Date Deposited: | 28 Oct 2019 09:54 |
Last Modified: | 29 Apr 2021 17:12 |
Status: | Published |
Publisher: | SAGE Publications |
Refereed: | Yes |
Identification Number: | 10.1177/1474904119880402 |
Open Archives Initiative ID (OAI ID): | oai:eprints.whiterose.ac.uk:152483 |
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