‘…But that’s just the stereotype’: gender and ethnicity in transition to adulthood

This article examines the role of gender and ethnicity in young minority ethnic British citizens’ transition to adulthood. As part of a larger study using a mixed methods approach, in-depth interviews were conducted with 20 young men and women aged 14–24 at different stages of education, employment and non-employment. By employing Bourdieu’s concept of habitus, the article shows how young people’s transition to adulthood is affected by gender and ethnic considerations. It is argued that for some, the interplay of gender and ethnicity with religion is a crucial aspect of their transition which causes them to make choices to live their lives in a certain way, whereas for others it is more subtle and nuanced. Further, researchers and policymakers need to be cognisant of the similarities and differences of gendered experiences within various minority ethnic groups and the similarities between these groups and the majority ethnic group.