Planning for the future in the shadow of the polycrisis: Young women's uncertain transitions to adulthood

StatusPost-Print
Dublin Core metadata
Alternative title
Authors
Kajta, Justyna
Sarnowska-Wilczyńska, Justyna
Pustułka, Paulina
Kwiatkowska, Agnieszka
Monograph
Monograph (alternative title)
Date
2025
Publisher
Journal title
Acta Sociologica
Issue
Volume
Pages
Pages
DOI
ISSN
0001-6993
ISSN of series
Weblink
Access date
2025-05-07
Abstract PL
Abstract EN
This paper explores the complexities of young women's gendered orientations to the future, contextualised within the realities of a 'polycrisis' era of compounded global uncertainties that constitute a formative generational experience. Through an examination of 31 qualitative interviews with young women living in Poland (aged 18-35), analytically represented by four biographical cases, we explore individual experiences and biographical futures within broader social and structural tensions surrounding transitions to adulthood in education, employment, housing and family. Applying Brannen and Nilsen's (2002) typology of temporal orientations and recalibrating it to the post-pandemic context, this study reveals that - in response to pervasive uncertainty - adaptability has become a leading strategy for navigating life in the face of multiple crises. Adaptability, which can be experienced in different ways (as an enjoyable orientation, an accepted rational strategy, or a forced and unwanted burden), can emerge as a sole orientation or overlap with other types. Moreover, the selected cases illustrate how ideas about the future are shaped by age, social class and family situation.
Abstract other
Keywords PL
Keywords EN
biographical future
future orientations
polycrisis
uncertainty
transitions to adulthood
Keywords other
Exhibition title
Place of exhibition (institution)
Exhibition curator
URI
https://share.swps.edu.pl/handle/swps/1444
Type
License type
other
This item is shared on a different license
Funder
Time range from
Time range to
Contact person name
Related publication
Related publication
Grant/project name
Wchodzenie w dorosłość w czasach ultra-niepewności: międzypokoleniowa teoria „rozedrganych” tranzycji
Tranzycja do macierzyństwa w trzech pokoleniach Polek
Files
pdf
Planning for the future in the shadow of crises_young women’s uncertaintymarked transitions to adulthood_AAM.pdf(358.96 KB)
Download
Views
Views11
Acquisition Date29.07.2025
Downloads
Downloads6
Acquisition Date29.07.2025
Altmetrics©
Dimensions
Google Scholar
Google Scholar