Advanced Introduction to Youth Studies

Elgar Advanced Introductions series

Howard Williamson, Professor of European Youth Policy, University of South Wales, Wales, UK and James E. Côté, Emeritus Professor of Sociology, The University of Western Ontario, Canada

The Advanced Introduction to Youth Studies analyses the historical development of the sociology of youth in the context of changing population demographics. Howard Williamson and James Côté explore competing paradigms underlying current understanding of youth with reference to key philosophical, theoretical and methodological debates.

Young people’s transitions to adulthood and youth cultural behaviour are then explored. The authors conclude with a consideration of youth policies and how, in the future, these may be better informed by sociological research.

‘Wow, a brief, yet concise overview on youth studies in 200 pages. Showcasing the key areas the reader will find a rich view on primarily Anglo-Saxon youth sociology and an intriguing input for multifarious academic and non-academic discussions and debates in the field of youth research.’
– Hans Dietrich, Institute for Employment Research, Germany

‘This is an extremely enjoyable, authoritative and thought-provoking volume by highly eminent authors. Providing a rare combination of youth theory and youth policy debate, it reminds us of “the bigger picture”: the changing social, political and economic conditions that have shaped and reshaped the youth phase, and the deeper sociological and philosophical traditions that have given rise to, and divided, the contemporary study of youth.’
– Robert MacDonald, University of Huddersfield, UK

‘This timely book provides a fresh outlook on youth sociology, using historical perspectives to highlight the contrasts between different theories in the field while critically analysing contemporary scientific and methodological debates. This important book will help to illustrate how youth studies contributes to the social sciences.’
– Helena Helve, University of Tampere and University of Helsinki, Finland

‘Williamson and Cote cover philosophical, epistemological, and political underpinnings of youth studies in a highly accessible manner. Their historical, cross-national, multidisciplinary, and multimethod perspectives distinguish this book from works arising from distinct academic “silos.” Fresh insights on school-to-work transitions, youth culture and policy illuminate difficulties confronting young people today.’
– Jeylan Mortimer, University of Minnesota, US