Youth in transition: navigating expectations in the post-COVID era

Potočnik, Dunja and Kuterovac Jagodić, Gordana and Rutar, Minea (2025) Youth in transition: navigating expectations in the post-COVID era. In: Two countries, one crisis: the YO-VID22 pandemic study. Edition Special Editions . University of Maribor, University of Maribor Press ; Institute for Social Research in Zagreb, Maribor, pp. 157-184. ISBN 978-961-299-048-0 (Print), 978-961-299-047-3 (Online)

Text Two countries, one crisis.pdf Download (7MB)

Abstract

IN ENGLISH: This chapter compares youth perceptions of societal norms in Croatia and Slovenia, revealing distinct mechanisms shaping their views. Croatian youth exhibit age-dependent patterns where growing autonomy influences the internalisation of societal expectations, leading to increasing self-confidence paired with a realistic reassessment of attainable life goals, particularly in education, housing, and financial independence. Slovenian youth, especially women, confront pronounced gender disparities rooted in structural inequities, burdening them with extensive societal and familial responsibilities. Both cohorts experience tension between individual aspirations and collective norms, with maturity prompting a shift from optimism to pragmatic evaluation of social milestones. Socioeconomic status (SES) strongly correlates with youths’ belief in personal success and adherence to societal expectations, with higher SES linked to greater confidence and internalisation, although national contexts mediate these effects. During the COVID-19 pandemic, age differences in justifying public health norms were minimal, but SES differences were significant, especially in Slovenia. Croatian youth showed less overall support for health measures but greater familial duty endorsement. --------------- IN CROATIAN: Ovo poglavlje uspoređuje percepcije društvenih normi među mladima u Hrvatskoj i Sloveniji, otkrivajući različite mehanizme koji oblikuju njihova stajališta. Hrvatski mladi pokazuju obrasce ovisne o dobi, gdje rastuća autonomija utječe na internalizaciju društvenih očekivanja, što dovodi do sve većeg samopouzdanja u kombinaciji s realističnijom procjenom ostvarivih životnih ciljeva, osobito u području obrazovanja, stanovanja i financijske samostalnosti. Slovenski mladi, osobito žene, suočavaju se s izraženim rodnim nejednakostima ukorijenjenima u strukturnim nepravdama, koje ih opterećuju opsežnim društvenim i obiteljskim odgovornostima. Obje skupine mladih doživljavaju napetost između individualnih aspiracija i kolektivnih normi, pri čemu zrelost donosi prijelaz od optimizma prema pragmatičnijoj procjeni društvenih prekretnica. Socioekonomski status (SES) snažno korelira s vjerovanjem mladih u osobni uspjeh i pridržavanje društvenih očekivanja, pri čemu je viši SES povezan s većim samopouzdanjem i snažnijom internalizacijom, iako nacionalni konteksti posreduju ove učinke. Tijekom pandemije COVID-19, dobne razlike u opravdavanju javnozdravstvenih normi bile su minimalne, no razlike prema SES-u bile su značajne, osobito u Sloveniji. Hrvatski mladi pokazivali su manju ukupnu podršku zdravstvenim mjerama, ali jače prihvaćanje obiteljskih dužnosti.

Item Type:	Book Section
Additional Information:	Language: English. - Title in Croatian: Mladi u tranzicji: snalaženje s očekivanjima u post-COVID eri.
Uncontrolled Keywords:	Youth, expectations, life goals, COVID-19 pandemic, Croatia and Slovenia (mladi, očekivanja, životni ciljevi, pandemija COVID-19, Hrvatska i Slovenija)
Subjects:	B Philosophy. Psychology. Religion > BF Psychology H Social Sciences > HM Sociology
Depositing User:	Karolina
Date Deposited:	04 Sep 2025 11:56
Last Modified:	09 Sep 2025 09:04
URI:	http://idiprints.knjiznica.idi.hr/id/eprint/1237

Actions (login required)

View Item