In this thorougly updated and expanded second edition, Vappu Tyyska takes a critical look at the problems and challenges facing Canadian youth. The author's expert and sensitive synthesis of Canadian, American, and British sources shows that the negative stereotypes of adolescents and youth are not supported by sociological research. On the contrary, social institutions alternately neglect, exploit, and penalize young people. Tyyska introduces readers to the most important findings of a generation of research in the field, including an examination of the significance of gender, race, and ethnicity.

In ten concise chapters, readers are introduced to the key issues in the sociology of youth. The book opens with concepts and theories and a solid historical orientation. Families and socialization, education, work, and sexuality and intimacy are profiled, maintaining the international comparison. Critical issues of peers, identity, and culture are addressed in a much-expanded chapter that presents a discussion of young people's recreational activities against a backdrop of their political engagement, including party politics, social movements and community involvement. An important chapter addresses youth crime. New to this edition, the health chapter provides a much-needed overview of youth health issues, including mental health, intimate and family violence, sexual health, substance use, and the general health of marginalized youth.