For young people, not being in education, employment or training (NEET) may be detrimental to self-esteem and limit possibilities for achieving financial security and a respectable position in society. One major educational problem in Estonia is low academic achievement at the upper level of basic education (Grades 7-9), reflected in a large number of drop-outs and "grade repeaters" (students who are not transferred to the next grade because of poor study results and who thus need to remain in the same grade for a second year). In this article (through an Estonian case study placed in the context of the relationships between Estonia and the neighbouring country Finland), we analyse the essence of the NEET process in the light of family factors. (Contains 2 notes.)