NCJ Number
180496
Date Published
1999
Length
381 pages
Annotation
The author argues that young people in modern society are in a state of crisis brought about by violence, questions of political legitimacy, educational deficiencies, and the decline of compassion as a core principle of culture.
Abstract
The author draws on a variety of trends and scholarly research to examine the problems of growing up in a high-risk society and offers pathways to spiritual and cultural renewal, which she views as essential to salvaging the next generation. In addition, the author takes on the youth crisis as a compelling public issue, exploring such manifestations of the crisis as endangered young people, gang participation, youth addictions, unworkable schools, violence in the home and on the streets, homelessness, and the near genocidal conditions that plague black and urban youth. The author proposes an organic solidarity of post-modern society that necessitates divesting inequities and investing equalities to create an society of interdependent individuals. She believes that post-modern young people need a holistic education that values and teaches emotional and relational skills and that juveniles need a restorative justice approach to replace existing punishment and bureaucratic treatment models. References, tables, and figures