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Key Concepts in Youth Studies
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Key Concepts in Youth Studies



May 2013 | 200 pages | SAGE Publications Ltd
What is youth? How do we understand youth in its social and cultural context?

Mark Cieslik and Donald Simpson here provide a concise and readily accessible introduction to the interdisciplinary field of youth studies. Drawing upon the latest research and developments in the field, as well as discussing the fundamental ideas underlying the discipline as a whole, it offers a comprehensive yet unpacked understanding of youth as a social phenomenon.

Illuminating the many abstract and contested concepts within youth studies, the book offers explanations to questions such as:

  • How might we define youth?
  • How can we understand young people in relation to their social identities and practices?
  • What is the relationship between youth and social class?
  • How do youth cultures develop?
  • How can we understand youth in a globalized perspective?

 Key Concepts in Youth Studies stands out as a natural companion for students on youth studies, sociology, criminology and social science programmes. It will also be useful for youth practitioners such as social workers and teachers.


 
Introduction: Making Sense of Young People Today
 
Foundational Concepts, Issues and Debates
 
Defining Youth
 
Youth Transitions
 
Youth Cultures
 
Young People and Social Policies
 
Working with Young People
 
Researching Youth
 
Theorizing Youth
 
The History of Youth
 
Young People, Divisions and Inequality
 
Representations of Youth
 
Major Concepts, Issues and Debates
 
Leisure
 
Crime
 
Youth Training
 
Housing
 
Social Networks and Social Capital
 
Well-Being
 
Gender
 
Sexualities
 
Education
 
The Body
 
'Place' and Belonging
 
Religion
 
Music
 
'Race' and Ethnicities
 
Informal Learning
 
Social Class
 
Politics, Protest and Social Movements
 
Work and Employment
 
Globalization
 
Disability
 
Consumption
 
The Youth Underclass
 
Homelessness

This book is excellent for both students and lecturers. The format likens a youth information directory, where the topic matters are labelled on the rim of the page, making it easy to find relevant information quickly. And for such a small book, it manages to cover a number of really key areas, relevant for both academics and youth work practitioners. I have already started recommending this book to my students, which will tap into their learning in every academic year. This book will be highlighted as essential reading in the course handbook for all students who on the BSc Youth Studies Programme. It may also be recommended for students on the BSc Youth Work students.

Copies of this book have recently been ordered by our subject libriarian.

Miss Veronica Mason
Department of Applied Social Sciences, London Metropolitan Uni (North Campus)
May 15, 2013

looks at key issues in a concise and clear manner. Ideal for first year students learning about issues focussing young people and development.

Jean Hatton
community and international education, Huddersfield University
April 17, 2013

This book provides a concise overview of the key concepts of interest in youth studies. It is useful as a foundation text, to provide an accessible synopsis of key concepts, which can then be followed up on in detail in other texts. It will be appealing to students because of its short chapters and commitment to providing the essence of the debates without lengthy discussion.

Dr Bernadine Brady
School of Political Science and Sociology, NUI, Galway
April 16, 2013

Good clear book, useful for all levels of study.

Dr Richard Peake
Law , Leeds University
April 10, 2013

It does what it says on the tin - offers an intensely distilled, brief introduction to many key concepts, each of these referenced to enable ease of access for deeper exploration.

Ms Chris Simpson
Community and Youth, College of St Mark and St John
March 15, 2013

An excellent overview of a considerable range of issues in youth studies, this book provides a comprehensive introduction to students and researchers.

Dr Vanessa Beck
CLMS, University of Leicester
March 12, 2013

It is a useful summary of 'youth studies' and we have ordered copies for our library

Mr Baljeet Gill
Youth and Community, Ruskin College Oxford
January 28, 2013

An excellent primer. It covers the ground effectively yet succinctly. Does what it says on the tin; a welcome edition to the market.

Mr Graham Bright
Faculty of Education & Theology, York St John University College
January 25, 2013
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