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Abstract

The goal of this research project is to shed light on vulnerability amongst young Cambodian adults in Siem Reap, both men and women, to adverse changes in the environment and the ways in which they deal with these adversities. Using the 'asset vulnerability framework', it is possible to expose the various ways in which people respond to changing environmental conditions. The central idea within the framework is that poor individuals are managers of complex ‘asset-portfolios’, which are being used in creative ways in order to avoid or mitigate vulnerability (Moser 1998:2). With this framework, this research has attempted to shed light on the dimensions of vulnerability in the lives of young adults in Siem Reap. The data have shown that young adults in Siem Reap are the most vulnerable concerning healthcare, finances and (the dependence on) the labour market. The most frequently used strategies are 'coping' and 'reproduction strategies'. Labour, individually owned financial buffers and social networks are the most frequently used assets.The difference between the two groups of men and women is mostly found in the fact that girls tend to make long term plans and boys short term plans. This difference is caused by their contrasting perception of the future.