“I just want a normal life with a good education”: Future expectations and goals in education and employment expressed by delinquent young females

This longitudinal qualitative study explores educational and vocational goals among young females with limited delinquency in Sweden. Ten participants sentenced to youth service (aged 15–18 years) were interviewed twice over 18 months. Constant comparative and thematic analysis identified three themes: (1) hopeful futures and ordinary expectations, emphasizing stability, independence, and “normality”; (2) relational pathways, showing how family and friends shaped goals and motivation to help others; and (3) education enabling the future, highlighting education as essential capital for stability, growth, and social belonging. Over time, aspirations became more realistic yet remained optimistic, underscoring education’s role in supporting prosocial development and desistance.