The main aim of this article is to highlight how existence as well as choice in the context of young people "at risk" stems not so much from the individual young person as from the condition of possibility. A secondary aim is to interrupt current understanding of the possible conditions of young people from various backgrounds within the rise of psychological management, and of the potential role of various kinds of youth-support systems. The article is based on results of a research project investigating youth support systems in the ethos of vulnerability.