Summary
Contents
What is youth? How do we understand youth in its social and cultural context?In this timely and sought-after title, Cieslik and Simpson 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 disciplines 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, this 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. 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 practitioners in area of social work and youth and community development.
Young People, Social Networks and Social Capital
Young People, Social Networks and Social Capital
Human beings are always connected to others in some way and so all of us are members of social networks of some form or another. ‘The briefest glance at cultural and academic representations of “young people” reveals that they are very rarely portrayed or talked about as alone’ (Marshall and Stenner, 1997: 183). Social networks are made up of individuals or groups who are linked together through one (or more) social relationship(s). The relationships can exist at different levels from the micro such as family and friends through to macro complex relations such as religion, beliefs, gender, ethnicity and social class. In youth studies the concept of social networks is often ...
