Generation on Hold: Coming of Age in the Late Twentieth Century

by Anton Allahar and James E. Côté

Book Overview

Traces historical constructions of adolescence and considers coming of age in the late 20th century

Young adults in the modern era face a completely differently set of challenges from previous generations. Tracing historical constructions of adolescence and their role in maintaining social order, James E. Cote and Anton L. Allahar persuasively argue that young people today constitute one of the most disadvantaged and vulnerable groups in society. Today, for the first time, teenagers and young adults in the United states, Canada, Japan, Scandinavia and Western Europe can expect to have a lower standard of living than their parents. Youth are conditioned to stay young linger and have, as a result, become socially and economically marginalized. Many young people amass credentials regardless of employment prospects and continue to live at home, often dependent on their parents, into their thirties. With fewer jobs available, young people are ironically targeted increasingly as consumers, rather than as producers. As new technologies continually reduce the work force and alter the social fabric, an entire generation of young people has struggled to keep up. What then does it mean to come of age in an advanced industrial or post-industrial society?

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 081471532X
• ISBN13: 9780814715321
• Release Date: November 1995
• Publisher: New York University Press
• Length: 240 Pages
• Weight: 0.90 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.6" x 5.8" x 8.9"

Customer Reviews

it really makes you think

I've been reading this book for my sociology class and it has been an eye opening experience. The authors offer easily understandable arguements that really make the reader think. Although their arguements are often a bit conspiritorial it is a good resource and can lead to some great discussion.