SCHOOLING IN THE COURSE OF HUMAN LIVES - THE SOCIAL-CONTEXT OF EDUCATION AND THE TRANSITION TO ADULTHOOD IN INDUSTRIAL-SOCIETY

This review examines the role of schooling in the life course of indiv iduals, focusing on the timing and sequencing of schooling in the tran sition to adulthood. First, I examine conceptual issues in the study o f schooling and the life course, drawing heavily on the sociological l iterature. I then consider the timing and sequencing of schooling in t he transition to adulthood in the United States, and the consequences of variations in the timing and sequencing of schooling for adult soci al and economic success. I then discuss the role of social structure, norms, and institutional arrangements in the transition to adulthood, with special attention to cross-national comparisons with the U. S. an d historical changes within countries. I conclude with speculations re garding trends in the role of schooling in the life course, and some d irections for future research on this topic.