Q: I have a 25-year-old son who doesn't stay at a job for any significant period of time. He has had five jobs since leaving school, ranging from five months to three years. He says these are jobs with only short contracts.

But I am concerned about why he hasn't got a job he can stay with for a much longer time. What has happened to real jobs?

A: You don't indicate what type of jobs your son is taking up. There are people who quite happily move from job to job on short contracts of employment, in a variety of industries. Contract employment has become much more prevalent in recent years.

In some ways, it is sad the 40-year jobs our parents knew, with a gold watch at the end, are less likely for today's workers. There can be benefits, though, for many people who are moving from job to job, with them gathering experience and enjoying the freedom that can come from not being tied to one job for too long.

Some sources in the employment industry suggest three to five years is deemed to be a long-term job. In some fields there is far more headhunting now for staff with particular skills and qualifications and this also encourages the movement of people from place to place, in what you might think are employment situations that are too short. That doesn't necessarily mean things are worse.

At the same time, there are many people who are still working in jobs for long terms. Our workforce and the business of working continues to evolve. We will still see people having the chance to stay for long periods in jobs they really enjoy, while, at the same time, others can build careers around experience and knowledge gained from many placements.

The reality is your son apparently continues to work and isn't experiencing prolonged periods out of work. That would be of greater concern.