Gender, love and education in three generations - The way out and up

The paths to adulthood for the last three generations of young Norwegian wo men have been accompanied by significant geographical and social changes. H ow has this process of modernization been experienced from 'below': from th e perspective of everyday life and through the eyes of the young women them selves? This article presents results from a three-generational study consi sting of interviews with a sample of 18-year-old Norwegian girls, their mot hers and grandmothers. The significance of upbringing, parental identificat ion and management of gender for young women's processes of modernization i s analysed. These issues affect choices made in education and romantic rela tionships - choices crucial to social mobility. The study looks at how the processes of social mobility and cultural modernization have been associate d with the psychological project of becoming adults for these young women.