What does it mean for young people not to grow up in their own family? What do they experience growing up in an institution, and what, precisely, do they subsequently need to be able to lead a life according to their own conceptions?
Accompany Young People on Their Way to Independent Living
Within the framework of the SOS Longitudinal Study we regularly ask youths and young adults about their growing up in SOS Children’s Villages in Germany. We query their preparation for independent living and their transition into adult life. We also ask about different life spheres, like education and social relationships, health and well-being, burdens and life satisfaction and different aspects of the support they received. The research project also examine the further development of former SOS residents, so-called care leavers, including wishes for their future and important life events. The goal of the SOS Longitudinal Study is
- to examine individual development processes and transitions over a longer time
- and to continually improve our pedagogic practice on site in the homes based on this empirical basis.