CONTENTS 1 INTRODUCTION 1.1 REFERENCES 2 THE LOW SKILLS TRAP 2.1 ABSTRACT 2.2 INTRODUCTION 2.3 THEORY 2.3.1 Vocational orientation 2.3.2 Activating labour market policies (ALMP) 2.3.3 Welfare state regimes 2.4 DATA, MEASUREMENTS & METHODS 2.4.1 Data 2.4.2 Measurements 2.4.3 Methods 2.5 RESULTS 2.5.1 Descriptive analyses 2.5.2 Multinomial regression analyses 2.5.3 Additional analyses 2.6 LIMITATIONS 2.7 CONCLUSIONS & DISCUSSION 2.8 REFERENCES 3 THE EFFECT OF PUBLIC CHILDCARE ON THE RISK THAT MOTHERS BECOME NEET 3.1 ABSTRACT 3.2 INTRODUCTION 3.3 THEORY & HYPOTHESES 3.3.1 Expected mechanisms underlying childcare costs and NEET risks 3.4 DATA, MEASUREMENTS & METHODS 3.4.1 Data 3.4.2 Measurements 3.4.3 Methods 3.5 RESULTS 3.5.1 Costs of childcare and NEET risks 3.5.2 Costs of childcare and use of ECEC 3.5.3 Use of ECEC and NEET risks 3.5.4 Alternative tests x 3.6 CONCLUSIONS & DISCUSSION 3.7 REFERENCES 4 WHICH PARENTAL RESOURCES PROTECT AGAINST EARLY SCHOOL-LEAVING? 4.1 ABSTRACT 4.2 INTRODUCTION 4.3 THEORY 4.4 THE DUTCH EDUCATION SYSTEM 4.5 DATA, MEASUREMENTS & METHODS 4.5.1 Data 4.5.2 Measurements 4.5.3 Methods 4.6 RESULTS 4.7 CONCLUSIONS & DISCUSSIONS 4.8 REFERENCES 5 FAMILY SHOCKS AND EARLY SCHOOL-LEAVING 5.1 ABSTRACT 5.2 INTRODUCTION 5.3 THEORY 5.4 THE DUTCH EDUCATION SYSTEM 5.5 DATA, MEASUREMENTS & METHODS 5.5.1 Data 5.5.2 Measurements 5.5.3 Methods 5.6 RESULTS 5.6.1 General effects 5.6.2 Experiencing a large income drop 5.6.3 What happens if parents become dependent on welfare benefits? 5.6.4 Experiencing parental separation 5.6.5 Are the shocks related to each other? 5.