Abstract

Since 1980s, many surveys conducted in Italy have showed tendency of young people to make a later transition to adult life. In recent years, due to factors such as lengthening of training times, late entry into the job market and increasing flexibility (and insecurity) of employment, this tendency has gradually changed into a stable condition that, even more seriously, seems to be accepted as a 'normal' condition. The thesis in this paper is that educational solutions to address this situation should seek to start from re-understanding how the person is understood. If the practical purpose of the educational process is to develop the potential of the human person throughout the life-course, an answer to this effect can come from instruction, which should ensure the acquisition of appropriate training to face up the challenges of complex society.