School‐to‐work transition in South Korean young adults: Stratified or Individualized?

Abstract

This study examines the relationship between family background and school-to-work transition (STWT) patterns in South Korean young adults. The transition from school to work has been linear, a simple change in status from full-time student to full-time worker. In the recent past, however, segmented (unemployment) and unstable (frequent status changes) patterns (have been increasing). While individualization theorists propose that family background is no longer a strong influence on STWT, stratification theorists posit that family background still plays a key role in STWT.There are a few studies that examine these theoretical arguments using empirical data. The research question is whether nonlinear and low labor market attachment STWT patterns stem from a disadvantaged family background (i.e., parents with low levels of education or low family income). This study applies Group-Based Trajectory Analysis (GBTA) to the Korean Labor and Income Panel Study (KLIPS). Results show that young adults from disadvantaged family backgrounds are more likely to have segmented and unstable STWT patterns compared to those from advantaged family backgrounds, suggesting that family background still plays a significant role as young adults prepare and enter the labor market. This study supports the use of stratification theory for understanding STWT in labor market uncertainty. K E Y W O R D Sfamily background, intergenerational mobility, labor market outcome of young adults, schoolto-work transition, South Korea, stratification | INTRODUCTIONThis study investigates the relationship of family background to school-to-work transition (STWT) patterns. The school-to-work transition is a multi-economic status change that occurs when one gains employment after leaving regular education. As the unemployment rate among young adults rises, their chances of a successful transition worsen. Many studies report that the proportion of young adults who experience fragmented and unstable STWT patterns such as unemployment or economic inactivity is increasing (Brzinsky-Fay, 2007;Müller & Gangl, 2003;OECD, 2008;Raffe, 2014Schoon & Silbereisen, 2009). Traditionally, the transition from school to work was a simple linear change in status from full-time student to full-time worker. However, with current labor market trends, both nonlinear patterns and low labor market attachment patterns are increasing. These patterns consist of fragmented (periods of unemployment, economic inactivity, and a status called "NEET"-neither employment, education, nor training), unstable (frequent status changes), or irregular/part-time employment.There are several shortcomings in current STWT studies. First, there is a gap between the theory that explains STWT change among young adults and current empirical studies. While individualization theorists indicate that family background no longer has a strong influence on STWT during this time of labor market uncertainty, stratification theorists state that family background still plays a key role because the qualifications neces...

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