Abstract:

This paper aims at analyzing the particular features taken on by a segment commonly called the young population, defined as such only on the basis of an age bracket classification, in a country marked by political, economical and social instability. Based on a two-wave quantitative study conducted in 1999 and 2003 and on qualitative studies carried out in 2004 among 14 to 24 year old respondents living in Buenos Aires, this analysis proposes a re-signification of certain attributes closely associated with the stereotyped concept of 'youth', in the hope of providing organizations targeting this segment a better understanding of the impact unstable contexts have on young adults' attitudes and behaviors.