Y a-t-il un lien entre le décrochage scolaire et le décrochage social chez les jeunes présentant des troubles de comportement?

The province of Quebec, as in many other western-world communities, is concerned by the rate of young people dropping out of school. We now have increased knowledge of the risk factors for dropping out of school that can be related to achievement in school, the current school climate, family issues or the personal characteristics of the young people and their families. It is also acknowledged that dropping out of school is at the root of the eventual process of being socially marginalized. Recently, researchers have turned their attention to the more global concept of social exclusion among young people, defined as a process of disaffiliation made worse by the increased breakdown in relationships, not only in terms of school life but of other institutions and of existing societal values as well. Few studies have documented the possible link between dropping out of school and the more global exclusion from society. The link can be identified in young people with behavioural problems that often reflect a type of social exclusion. This article reports on an ongoing exploratory, qualitative and prospective study of 30 young people from Montreal enrolled in a special school due to their behavioural issues. The aim of the study is to better understand the paths that may lead some young people to social exclusion, while others finally find their place within society. The article also aims to focus on the effects of dropping out of school for those experiencing it, and their possible path in the ominous process of social exclusion.