Understanding Youth
Perspectives, Identities & Practices
Children and Adolescent Counselling | Developmental Psychology (General) | Youth Work
Professor Robert MacDonald, University of Teesside
'I have found that these books have enlightened and further developed my understanding of young people and are an excellent point of reference to support my work in this field.'
Carolyn Moore, Youth Worker
Young people's lives have changed in dramatic ways in recent years. Important transformations have taken place in the social structures and processes shaping young lives, including education, the loss of the traditional youth labour market, and shifts in the nature of family and intimate relationships.
Understanding Youth: Perspectives, Identities and Practices engages with these changing experiences. By drawing on recent research and the insights of young people the book provides a clear and comprehensive overview of youth in late modernity.
" Part 1 Perspectives presents three different ways of conceptualising and understanding youth.
" Part 2 Identities considers issues of self and identity.
" Part 3 Practices explores the everyday practices that give shape to young people's lives.
The book adopts an interdisciplinary approach and presents complex issues in an accessible and interactive way. It will be essential reading for students on courses in youth work, youth studies, education, social work and social policy, and for professionals working with young people in a wide range of settings. Together with its companion volume, Youth in Context: Frameworks, Settings and Encounters, it is a core text for The Open University's third level undergraduate course Youth: Perspectives and Practice (KE308).
Mary Jane Kehily is Senior Lecturer in Childhood and Youth Studies at The Open University.
A very readable and informative volume which will be useful to me in preparing lectures as well as providing background reading for students.
An interesting read - varying perspectives of the adolescence period of ones life.
A useful tool for teaching growth and development within this life stage offering suggestions for class based activities.
It presents crucial ideas and concepts of Youth Studies in a clear and concise way.
I have found this book excellent for making the connection between theory and practice and understanding some of the key themes that play an integral part in young peoples lives. I have recommended it to students and supervisors whilst out visiting them on placements, especially those working in specialist areas such as mental health, gender based projects and play. Its clear layout and easy navigation makes it easy to follow. The book is now also an essential read for students studying on my foundation degree health and Wellbeing module.
This text provides students and practitioners with a comprehensive source to understand and reflect on the youth question. Covering in detail many key areas which are relevant for those working with young people, including identity and an exploration of social divisions.
A useful and informative text, covering a wide range of areas important for those on courses relating to working with children and young people. The blend of activities and further reading enhanced the development of knowledge and understanding.
This book is being adopted to form the backbone of both the BA and MA Youth Justice sessions. The book has three parts, Perspectives , identities and practicies. The last part will prove especially useful as it explores in some depth the transistional stages of youth in to adulthood and the relationships with work, play and relating.
The text contains contemporary youth identities, drawing on a range of examples with which students will be familiar. These examples are analysed within a clear theoretical frameworks which is presented in a thorough, but accessible way.
A great undergrad text
This book supports the learning outcomes of the module.
