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.

New pressing now available!

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.

Related items

  1. Entrance sign at the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development office in Westminster

    Reset: Building modern partnerships with the countries of the global south

    The UK's relationships with many countries of the ‘global south’ are in a poor state.
  2. Doctor with patient for consultation, medical advice or procedure at clinic

    Taken to heart: Inequalities in heart disease in Scotland

    More than 7.6 million people across the UK live with cardiovascular disease (CVD), around twice as many as live with Alzheimer’s disease and cancer combined. 
  3. A beautiful sunset in the Scottish highlands with renewable energy wind turbines far into the horizon

    Skills passports: An essential part of a fair transition

    This month, government will publish its Clean Energy Workforce Strategy. This plan covers two aims. First, filling the growing demand for skills in clean energy industries is essential to keep on track to reach the government’s clean power…