Symbolic resources and responsibility in transitions

Since youth transitions have been redefi ned as fl exible periods of change, it becomes diffi cult to conceptually distinguish them from any other transition period in people’s life. Transitions are here defi ned as involving three types of interdependent processes (social relocation, knowledge construction and meaning-making). From a cultural psychological perspective, youth transitions can be qualifi ed by young people’s access to symbolic responsibility. Through a case study, the article shows how cultural elements chosen and used by a person can support processes of transition. Finally, the article sketches a model of uses of symbolic resources enabled by symbolic responsibility.