Rethinking the 'problem of youth': Refocusing on the social and its interrelationship with dominant power structures

Cooper, Charlie

Abstract

What follows challenges the dominant discourses shaping contemporary social policy responses to the 'problem of youth', arguing that these accounts fail to acknowledge structurally-determined social contexts (beyond the control of individuals, families and 'communities') within which social inter-actions (and their related tensions) are played out. At the same time, it is contended that these discourses are serving to divert attention away from possibilities of more imaginative social policy interventions, leading instead to the intensification of the 'criminalisation of social policy' and increasing harms for disadvantaged young people.

Citation

Cooper, C. (2008). Rethinking the 'problem of youth': Refocusing on the social and its interrelationship with dominant power structures. Youth and Policy, 103, 81-92

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Oct 1, 2009
• Publication Date: 2009
• Deposit Date: Nov 13, 2014
• Journal: Youth & Policy
• Print ISSN: 0262-9798
• Publisher: Youth and Policy
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 103
• Pages: 81-92
• Public URL: https://hull-repository.worktribe.com/output/463110
• Publisher URL: http://www.youthandpolicy.org/y-and-p-archive/issue-103/