Youth who have lived in residential or foster care for a long period of time are confronted with many obstacles when entering adult life, particularly in regards to their professional and social integration. In order to redress this situation, different programs are put in place to help youth develop their autonomy or self-sufficiency. Based on a literature review, this article suggests that the way the transition to adult life of youth having lived in a substitute environment has been conceptualized should be reconsidered. It is therefore recommended to envision the youth as an interdependent subject of its community by having the intervention programs aiming their social and professional integration focus on social relationships and social networks.