Young people, class and place

Abstract

This collection focuses on issues of class and place in respect of young people’s lives.
\nThe contributions derive, at least in part, from a one-day British Sociological
\nAssociation Youth Study Group seminar that was hosted by the Youth Research
\nGroup at the University of Teesside in September 2008. What is special or important about the social scientific study of
\nyouth? One answer is that the youth phase provides a privileged vantage point from
\nwhich to observe broader processes of social change and social continuity (Furlong
\nand Cartmel 2007, MacDonald and Shildrick 2009). If new cultural trends emerge or
\nsignificant social developments happen, it is feasible that they will be seen here first
\nor most obviously, among the coming, new generation of young adults. If ‘choice
\nbiographies’ replace ‘normal’ ones, if family or household forms become less
\nstandard, if well-known patterns of gender or class inequality loosen or become less
\nfamiliar, it is likely that these changes will be observed first in youth; changes made
\nby young people as they make transitions to adult life.