In many advanced economies, the traditional markers of the transition to adulthood have become increasingly difficult to attain. These include leaving the parental home, forming stable partnerships, marrying, becoming a parent, and achieving homeownership--each of which has been delayed or is in decline. An emerging theoretical perspective highlights the role of uncertainty, with scholars arguing that growing economic and social uncertainties make it more difficult for young adults to achieve these milestones.
Building on these insights, this group contributes to the literature by offering updated perspectives on the role of uncertainty in family formation. In particular, it examines a potential tension between the persistence of traditional family norms and expectations and the empirical realities observed in Japan. Like many other societies, Japan has undergone a rapid demographic transition characterized by declining marriage rates and low fertility. Several trends are consistent with increasing economic uncertainty, including the long-lasting effects of the collapse of the bubble economy and the rise of so-called "nonstandard" or "bad" jobs associated with economic restructuring.
At the same time, other institutional and cultural features have been notably slow to change. These include the relative stability of lifetime employment practices or persistent gender norms shaped by a form of neoliberal familism. Under this arrangement, married women are expected to take primary responsibility for caregiving while also contributing substantially to household income. Attitudinal studies further reveal that the notion of "egalitarian familism" or "pro-work conservatism," where individuals endorse gender equality in the labor force while simultaneously supporting gender essentialist norms of parenting and domestic work, is prevalent in East Asia.
In sum, these contextual dynamics suggest that while social institutions established during the high economic growth era remain largely intact, the life courses built upon them have become increasingly difficult to realize. In this context, young people appear to face growing anxiety and insecurity within a social and economic environment that was once relatively stable. Although many recognize the need for change, there is limited evidence of collective or individual action aimed at transforming these conditions, particularly in contrast to developments observed in other East Asian societies. Instead, many appear to avert their attention from these challenges as a way of maintaining psychological stability.
Despite these expectations, there remains limited empirical understanding of how young people, faced with such uncertainty, conceptualize and navigate family formation. To address this gap, this group brings together empirical contributions that examine family expectations and behaviors among contemporary Japanese young adults.