De ideale levensloop van de Brusselse jeugd.

Abstract

Objective: This paper analyses the ideal life course perspectives of young people in Brussels. It examines the age young people perceive as ideal to go through important life course transitions. Following transitions are examined: entry in the labour market, graduation, retirement, children, sexual intercourse and marriage. The author is in particular interested in social-cultural and social-economic differences among Brussels youth.

Methods: The author uses the JOP-school monitor Brussel (2011) data. Firstly, bivariate analyses are used to analyse differences in ideal life course perspectives. Secondly, multilevel multivariate analyses are used to dig deeper into both structural and cultural factors associated with differences regarding the ideal life course perspectives.

Results:
• Bivariate:
o Boys and girls differ significantly in the ideal timing of family related transitions:

The timing of the first sexual intercourse among girls is situated later than boys. However, all other family related transitions (marriage, children) show a reversed pattern.
o Social-economic factors influence above all transitions related to the career:

Young people in general education want to graduate and enter the labour market on a later stage in life compared to young people from the other educational tracks.
o The author observed strong differences in religion:

Muslim youngsters want the first sexual intercourse later on. However, all other family related transitions show a reversed pattern. In addition, Muslim youngsters want to enter the labour market in an earlier stage in life.
• Multivariate: o Work related transitions:

The general variance among Brussels youth regarding workrelated transitions is modest (<.20).

Social-economic factors are the most important factors in explaining differences regarding work-related transitions. o Family related transitions:

Religion is the most important factor in explaining differences regarding family related transitions.

Conclusion: There does not exist one common ideal life perspective among the Brussels youth. Strong differences are found based upon social-cultural and social-economic factors. In general, young Muslims and young people with a weak social position tend to situate family and work related transitions (except the first sexual intercourse) at an earlier stage in their life. Hence, ideal life course perspectives are not a consequence of individualised, personal choices but are derived from shared cultural constructs.