Freedom's Orphans: Raising youth in a changing world

Article

This report responds to an extensive debate among academics, practitioners and commentators - even the Archbishop of Canterbury - on the 'problems of modern youth'. Analysing evidence from across the world, it concludes that both the frequent condemnation of teenagers and recent attempts to absolve them from blame are misplaced. It says that changes in the family, local communities and the economy have combined to cause deep inequalities in the transition to modern adult life and leave increasing numbers of young people incapable of growing up safely and successfully.

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This report responds to an extensive debate among academics, practitioners and commentators - even the Archbishop of Canterbury - on the 'problems of modern youth'. Analysing evidence from across the world, it concludes that both the frequent condemnation of teenagers and recent attempts to absolve them from blame are misplaced. It says that changes in the family, local communities and the economy have combined to cause deep inequalities in the transition to modern adult life and leave increasing numbers of young people incapable of growing up safely and successfully.

You may also be interested in our 2003 research into the attitudes of young people to their communities, entitled Passing Time, which is available free of charge.

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