Sampling experiences Young people going abroad and

1
Sampling experiencesYoung people going abroad
and new life course dynamics

• Henk Vinken
• Komazawa University, Tokyo
• November 29, 2005
• Rikkyo University, Tokyo

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Destandardization gt rise (return?) of
heterogeneity of life course transitionsgt
reversible choices / non-life long commitments
yo-yo-izationgt interruptions part of
institutional frameworkgt chances for success
and risks of failure individualize
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• Reflexive biographization
• gt emphasis on developing individuality
  imagining participation
• gt participation of unreversible type postponed
• gt intense engagement in organizing life narrative
  in which
• - unplannable twists are acknowledged
  (self-confrontation)
• taking on new routes are possible
  (self-destruction)
• gt mind you traditional choices made, but seen as
  own choices

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• Reframing basic 1968-life goals
• gt destandardization boosts quest for
  self-actualization
• gt reflexive biographization de-linearizes
  self-actualization
• no longer directed at material or immaterial
  GROWTH
• but at change and challenge, e.g.
• work to secure future (pre-), grow as person
  (post-1968)
• - but work to experience sthg new / challenge
  (post-1990s)
• gt only post-1968 indicators in large-scale
  cross-cultural studies

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• A Western model only ?
• gt discourses on advanced societies, but lack
  Asian reference
• gt trends also in societies with less emphases on
• individualism (vs collectivism)
• autonomy (vs embeddedness)
• self-expression (vs survival) ?
• gt or trends apply to specific life domains only
• - work/marriage but not education in Japan?

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• Going abroad the new life course by example
• gt many reasons that vary with place and time
• gt esp. sojourners (anticipating short-stay)
  interesting
• return not rich in material sense or in
  diplomas
• but return rich in experiences
• if not very specific reason remains undefined
• gt aligns with key words of new life course
  dynamics
• reversibility of choices (short-term)
• imagination of participation (not full
  commitment)
• openness to unplannable twists and abrupt change
• direct way to create multiple identities
• taste of alternative lifestyles

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• Evidence ?
• gt N of sojourners vs settlers on the rise
  (everywhere) ?
• gt What motives do both groups give? Do these
  align with
• - reversibility of choices
• imagination of participation (not full
  commitment)
• openness to unplannable twists and abrupt change
• direct way to create multiple identities
• taste of alternative lifestyles ?
• gt Comparative data is lacking (only N migrants
  recorded)