Key Concepts in Youth Studies - Paperback

by Mark Cieslik (Author), Donald Simpson (Author)

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.

Author Biography

Dr Mark Cieslik is a Senior Lecturer in Sociology at Northumbria University. He has taught youth studies for many years and has conducted several research projects into young people′s lives. His work has explored the structuring of marginal transitions into adulthood as well as young people′s experiences of schooling and education. He has been the convenor of the British Sociological Association′s Youth Study Group and has published many research papers and a number of edited volumes on youth research. He is currently convenor of the BSA Happiness Study Group and is researching the area of wellbeing and young people.

Donald Simpson is currently a Senior Lecturer in Education at Teesside University where he works on several undergraduate and postgraduate programmes in the areas of childhood, education and youth studies. He previously worked as a school teacher before then becoming a contract researcher. Donald has several research interests and these include a focus on youth. He has worked upon youth research projects sponsored by organizations such as the Joseph Rowntree Foundation and the Economic and Social Research Council. Donald has authored and co-authored many publications and these include contributions reporting youth research for Journal of Youth Studies, Young - Nordic Journal of Youth Research and Sociology.