Research provides direct evidence of a relationship between institutional arrangements and processes on the macro level of society and the dynamics of life histories on the individual level. In particular, rising unemployment and changes in housing opportunities have had a disproportionate impact on young people. Discussions of the causes of youth homelessness commonly focus on the character and personality of the homeless young person. Pertinent issues concern participation in social and cultural norms of the majority and the extent to which nonparticipation is governed by constraint rather than by choice. The author contends wider structural processes are behind the creation of marginalized groups, such as homeless persons, although he notes the concept of an underclass is controversial. The author also believes household dynamics must be considered so that the young offender is not seen in isolation from other family members. The "life course" view is applied to homelessness in the United Kingdom. 34 references and 3 notes