• About us
  • GSDRC Publications
  • Research Helpdesk
  • E-Bulletin
  • Privacy policy

GSDRC

Governance, social development, conflict and humanitarian knowledge services

  • Governance
    • Democracy & elections
  • Social Development
    • Social protection
  • Humanitarian Issues
    • Humanitarian financing
    • Humanitarian response
  • Conflict
    • Conflict analysis
    • Conflict prevention
    • Conflict response
    • Conflict sensitivity
    • Impacts of conflict
  • Development Pressures
    • Climate change
    • Food security
    • Fragility
  • Approaches
    • Complexity & systems thinking
  • Aid Instruments
    • Budget support & SWAps
    • Capacity building
    • Civil society partnerships
  • M&E
    • Indicators
    • Learning
    • M&E approaches
Home»GSDRC Publications»Youth transitions into adulthood in protracted crises

Youth transitions into adulthood in protracted crises

Helpdesk Report
  • Anna Louise Strachan
October 2015

Question

In conflict/politically protracted crises, how are transitions into adulthood delayed or accelerated for young people? What are the implications of these delayed/accelerated transitions? What does the evidence say about the different experiences of boys and girls in relation to this question? (Young people will be defined as 10-24 year olds).

Summary

Protracted crises can have a significant impact on youth transitions into adulthood, both by delaying and accelerating them. Waithood is a term commonly used to describe the state in which youths find themselves when their transitions to adulthood are delayed.

There is a significant body of literature on youth transitions into adulthood in developing countries, with heavy emphasis on the Middle East and North Africa, while there are also numerous studies looking at youth transitions to adulthood in Sub-Saharan Africa. There is consensus in the literature that economic independence and family formation are key components of youth transitions into adulthood. A number of studies also include political citizenship in this list, while some studies add additional components, such as overall well-being.

Key findings from the literature include:

  • Delayed transitions to adulthood can be the result and the cause of conflict, fragility, and violence.
  • Lost years of schooling and poor quality education in conflict-affected areas impede young people’s chances of achieving economic independence.
  • A number of studies find that family formation is often difficult for young people who are not economically independent. This is because economic independence, which can be hard to achieve in times of conflict, is seen as a prerequisite for marriage in many cultures.
  • One study finds that young people do not always resign themselves to waithood. Faced with delayed transitions to adulthood some can create new sub-cultures and alternative forms of livelihoods and social relationships.
  • Accelerated transitions into adulthood are not necessarily permanent. One study argues that many children who assume adult roles may later find themselves in waithood. An example is that of child soldiers in the aftermath of conflict. These young people may find their transitions to adulthood delayed because they have not met the milestones required for this transition (e.g. economic independence and family formation), despite having fulfilled an adult role during times of conflict.
file type icon See Full Report [PDF - 488 KB]

Enquirer:

  • DFID

Suggested citation

Strachan, A.L. (2015). Youth transitions into adulthood in protracted crises (GSDRC Helpdesk Research Report 1293). Birmingham, UK: GSDRC, University of Birmingham.

Related Content

War Economy in North East Nigeria
Helpdesk Report
2020
Doing research in fragile contexts
Literature Review
2019
Conflict and gender dynamics in Yemen
Helpdesk Report
2017
Gender and conflict in the Western Balkans
Helpdesk Report
2017
birminghamids hcri

gro.crdsg@seiriuqne Feedback Disclaimer

Outputs supported by FCDO are © Crown Copyright 2022; outputs supported by the Australian Government are © Australian Government 2022; and outputs supported by the European Commission are © European Union 2022
Connect with us: facebooktwitter

Outputs supported by DFID are © DFID Crown Copyright 2022; outputs supported by the Australian Government are © Australian Government 2022; and outputs supported by the European Commission are © European Union 2022