Turbulent trajectories: Experiences of young adults from refugee and host communities in Lebanon during crises

Young adults living in Lebanon are experiencing the impacts of compounded crises during a critical juncture in the life course. Transitions into young adulthood are complex, unfolding in diverse ways for each individual. Using the concept of vital conjunctures, and a qualitative longitudinal research approach, this article explores how intersecting economic, political and refugee crises in Lebanon are impacting transitions to young adulthood. It explores three key dimensions of early adulthood transitions: education, income-generation and relationship formation. The data is based on four rounds of in-depth interviews with 18 young Lebanese, Palestinian and Syrian adults, and their caregivers, conducted over a three-year period. The research brings an intersectional perspective by analysing how multiple forms of inequality – including poverty, refugee status and gender discrimination – shape young adults’ experiences of crises. The results show how the economic and social deprivations brought about by the compounded crises in Lebanon have influenced young people’s trajectories in varying but interconnected ways, influencing the complexity and timing of key dimensions of early adulthood. For young women and refugees, restrictive gender norms and legal barriers, respectively, add another layer of complexity, and make it more challenging for young people to reach their goals and aspirations. The findings also point to the severe psychosocial impacts of these disrupted transitions, due to increasing household responsibilities, disrupted social support networks, and an inability to achieve desired aspirations. This research contributes to addressing the limited understanding of young adult transitions in crises contexts, highlighting the severe impacts of interconnected crises on young adults’ trajectories.