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, Work and Employment
Young People, Work and Employment
The concept of employment features prominently within youth studies. Indeed, achieving employment as part of the school-to-work transition remains one of the core ‘problems and priorities in the sociology of youth’. The modern organisation of employment ‘creates the modern young person’, results in ‘differences’ and divisions between young people and has serious implications for the development of youth identities, wellbeing and futures (Roberts, 2003: 13–17). Employment is usually associated with and sometimes inter-changed with the concept of work. However, the two concepts have differing meanings. A precise definition of employment would highlight the supply of labour by young people in the process of producing goods and services for sale on the market, for their supply by ...
