Similarities and differences between two cohorts of young Italian people: the result of a CATI survey on transition to adulthood

Stefano Mazzuco, Università di Padova
Letizia Mencarini, University of Florence
Rosella Rettaroli, Università di Messina

The paper analyses the results of a CATI survey, consisting on a representative national sample of 3083 young people of two different generations: the 23-27th and the 33-37th in the first half of 2004. The analysis is particularly targeted at the oldest cohort and investigates on the late transition to adulthood and its effect on fertility choices. We wonder whether the Italian situation is converging to the European one. We also analyse the transition processes to all the events of the “life course” as interrelating mechanisms, where each process is the premise for the next step, but where all are probably considered indispensable for choosing to have a child. Furthermore, we can study the interactions among different actors in the family of origin that can facilitate the phases of transition to adulthood. The results suggest a diffusion of new family forms among youth but a persistent delay in family formation.