Youth Futures: Comparative Research and Transformative Visions

(Hardback)

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Provides comparative empirical research from around the world on how youth see the future. Generally, youth are considered immature, irresponsible toward the future, cliquish, impressionistic, and dangerous toward self and others. They are considered as a mass market--two billion strong--the passive recipients of globalization. Most recently in OECD nations youth have become fodder for political speeches--they are the problem that reflects both the failure of the welfare state (dependence on the state), the failure of globalization (unemployment), and postmodernism (loss of meaning and the crisis of the spirit). In the Third World, youth are seen not only as the problem, but equally as the force that can topple a regime (as in Yugoslavia). However, youth can also be seen as the carriers of a new worldview, a new ideology. These and other views concerning youth are examined in this volume of comparative empirical research. Studies from around the world provide intriguing answers to questions about how youth see the future and their future roles. This book will be of particular interest to scholars, students, researchers, and policymakers involved with youth issues and future studies.

Reviews

"The Youth Futures book by Gidley and Inayatullah is a very important contribution because there is so little cross cultural material on adolescence. It is a much needed antidote to our ethnocentric presentation of adolescence here in the States."-Professor David Elkind Professor and Chair Eliot Pearson Department of Child Development Tufts University
"This book is astounding. In a time of rapid, world-wide transformation dealing with globalization, genomics, terrorism and much else, constructive and creative views of possible futures are essential. This book makes a monumental contribution on youth futures. While we are accustomed to hearing universal rhetoric on the importance of youth to the future, it seldom goes beyond platitudes. In 20 essays the authors present extensive theory and practice, including up to date trans-disciplinary research from around the world. This remarkable book will be a lasting resource for educators, policy makers, youth workers and all people committed to creating a better, brighter and wiser future for future generations."-Professor David K. Scott Former Chancellor University of Massachusetts Amherst
"This exciting and timely book is a milestone, bringing together for the first time international research on youth as both inheritors and creators of the future. Their hopes and fears for tomorrow, as reported here, are central to the future well-being of society - we would do well to listen to them. Essential reading for all those involved with young people, whether in formal or informal contexts, at home, in education or at work."-Professor David Hicks School of Education Bath Spa University College, UK
"Young people are increasingly viewed by scholars, practitioners, and policy makers as vital assets in the development of civil society. This book both gives voice to this positive conception of youth, and documents the power of young people to be active agents in actualizing their own healthy futures and in contributing to social justice and equity across the global community. This book is an impressive resource for all people concerned with understanding and enhancing the strengths of youth to build, sustain, and extend the quality of life in all nations of the world."-Professor Richard M. Lerner Bergstrom Chair in Applied Developmental Science Tufts University

Author Bio

JENNIFER GIDLEY is an Educational Psychologist and Futures Researcher. She has published widely in education and youth futures, most recently co-editing The University in Transformation (Bergin & Garvey, 2000). SOHAIL INAYATULLAH is Visiting Professor, Department of Future Studies, Tamkang University, Taiwan, Visiting Academic, the Communication Center, Queensland University of Technology, and Professor, International Management Centers Association. He is co-editor of the Journal of Futures Studies. Among his books is Macrohistory and Macrohistorians (Praeger, 1997).