Youth and policy: Contexts and consequences : young men, transition, and social exclusion (Cardiff papers in qualitative research)

For the past 20 years, Howard Williamson has been involved in practice, policy and research on young people. In this collection of papers, written over this period, he conveys the lines of continuity and change in the context of youth policy. The book draws attention to the increasing polarization of opportunity for young people, the result of the promotion of policies which have taken little account of the perspectives and aspirations of young people themselves. Each section contains both papers which have made "measured" contributions to the academic debate and more "passionate" publications directed at practioners and poicy makers. All derive from empirical qualitative work which sought to secure and assess the views and experiences of young people. The book emphasizes the need for a qualitative understanding of young people's perspectives if effective youth policy is to be developed.