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Inventing Adulthoods
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Inventing Adulthoods
A Biographical Approach to Youth Transitions



November 2006 | 208 pages | SAGE Publications Ltd
'The series Youth: Perspectives and Practice provides a distinctive and rare combination of expert commentary, new research, original theorising and critical reflection on how we should understand youth and work with young people. These books deserve a wide readership … the way they are written and organised will make them particularly appealing to students' - Professor Robert MacDonald, University of Teesside

Inventing Adulthoods offers a ground-breaking new perspective on young peoples' experiences of growing up at the turn of the 21st century, arguing that a biographical approach is vital to understanding the holistic and dynamic character of their lives. Based on a study of a diverse group of young people over a 10 year period, the book explores high profile policy issues: education, employment, drugs, cultures of violence and well-being. It also considers the significance of those things that mean most to young people themselves: mobility, home, belonging, intimacy and social life.

The book is written in a lively and engaging style and, through case studies and interviews, examines:

" the impact that social factors such as gender, class, sexuality, religion, disability and family have on life opportunities; and

" connections between young people's lives, social policy frameworks and practice applications.

Inventing Adulthoods is an invaluable resource to anyone interested in the lives of young people. Thought-provoking yet accessible, this book is ideal for students in youth studies and education, as it is for youth workers, social workers and other practitioners.

Inventing Adulthoods is the set book for the Open University course Youth: Perspectives and Practice (KE308).

Sheila Henderson is a Visiting Fellow at London South Bank University. Janet Holland is Professor of Social Research and Co-director of the Families and Social Capital ESRC Research Group at London South Bank University. Sheena McGrellis is a Senior Research Fellow in the Families Group, but is based at University of Ulster. Sue Sharpe is a Visiting Fellow at London South Bank University. Rachel Thomson is Professor of Social Research in the Faculty of Health and Social Care at The Open University.

 
PART ONE: THEORIZING TRANSITIONS TO ADULTHOOD
 
Introduction
Time, Place and Method

 
 
Inventing Adulthoods
Resources and Resourcefulness

 
 
PART TWO: FROM PUBLIC AGENDAS TO JOINED UP LIVES
 
Education
 
Work
 
Cultures of Violence
 
Chemical Cultures
 
Well-Being
 
PART THREE: BIOGRAPHICAL PROJECTS AND THE REMAKING OF INEQUALITY
 
Mobility
 
Belonging
 
Home
 
Intimacy
 
Sociality
 
Conclusion
Looking to the Future

 

A valuable biographical and longitudinal approach to understanding adolescence and the transition to adulthood. This study gives 'voice' to an articulate, but often unrepresented group, with thoughtful interpretation and commentary.

Mrs Maggie Wilson
Education , Oxford Brookes University
November 25, 2014

Sample Materials & Chapters

Chapter Six: Chemical Cultures


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