Young people grow up in varied circumstances with different priorities and perspectives. While youth does not exist as a single group we need to understand what is happening in young people's lives. Rethinking Youth challenges the conventional wisdoms surrounding the position and opportunities of young people today and provides a systematic overview of the major perspectives in youth studies.

    The authors demonstrate how the concept of youth involves a tension between the social significance of age, which gives young people a common status, and the significance of social divisions. Drawing upon studies from different societies, they examine debates surrounding youth and economy, youth development, youth subcultures, youth transitions and youth marginalisation.

    Rethinking Youth offers a provocative critique of mainstream conceptions of youth, the programs and strategies designed for 'at risk' young people, and policy development in youth affairs. It calls for greater sensitivity to the complexities of youth, and greater emphasis on democracy and equality in dealing with the problems experienced by young people in a rapidly changing world.

    Johanna Wyn is Director of the Youth Research Centre at the University of Melbourne. Rob White lectures in Criminology at the University of Melbourne.

    Tables

    Acknowledgements

    Introduction

    1 The concept of youth

    2 Youth and economy

    3 Youth development

    4 Youth subcultures

    5 Youth transitions

    6 Youth marginalisation

    7 Conclusion

    References

    Index

    Biography

    Both authors are known as leading figures in youth studies in Australia. Rob White is the author of No Space of their Own and co-editor of The Police and Young People in Australia (both Cup). Johanna Wyn is co-author of Shaping Futures (A+U 1987). Rob White teaches in the Department of Criminology and Johanna Wyn is Director of the Youth Research Institute in the Faculty of Education, both at the University of Melbourne.