Youth in the Processes of Transition and Modernisation in the Slovak Republic

Abstract

The first postcommunist generation of youth in Slovakia set out on its path by making decisions on professional orientation at the age when encounter & experience are perceived as an important & controversial dimensions of one's personality. The second phase, consisting of decision making on social breakthrough into the labor market, has been shifted into another civilization time-space through the transformation of real socialism into real capitalism. Unemployment as a social threat & as a life experience is an element of youth individualization that is demonstrated by acceptance of flexible solutions, including readiness to change place of residence & professional qualifications. A comparison of 1993 & 1995 surveys indicates that the initial shock of unemployment has been overcome.