Abstract
This paper examines the significance of social network and social capital in youth transition from school to work, with a focus on both instrumental and expressive aspects. In recent years the transition of Japanese young people has changed drastically, similar to young people in other industrialised countries. The individualisation of transition has proceeded and collective guidelines or public systems have become less helpful. Thus, their transition has begun to depend more on their social networks and social capital. For young people who cannot help undergoing an insecure and uncertain transition, the instrumental aspects of social networks and social capital are important in their search for job. Few studies, however, have discussed their expressive aspects in great detail. This paper attempts to illustrate the importance of expressive aspects seen in more young people who are afflicted with serious mental problems as a result of their insecure and uncertain transitions. This paper analyzes the cases of six females from the most insecure group in our sample. These freeter girls have local networks composed of members in insecure employment situations with similar characteristics. The instrumental resources these networks provide are minimal, but the expressive aspects of the networks make them valuable sources of relationships for its members. They share sentiments, ventilate frustrations, reach understanding on issues and problems, and affirm each own as well as the other's worth and dignity. The research findings also indicated that young people in middle to late adolescence rely more on these networks than they do their families. We must pay attention to young people who have little support from their parents in either the expressive and instrumental aspects to sustain the expressive aspects of their networks.
