The burgeoning field of youth studies encompasses multiple viewpoints‎,‎ presenting a confusing picture to novices and experts alike‎.‎ This insightful text goes to the heart of the fundamental issues and debates that characterize this developing field‎,‎ giving readers a clearer understanding of its current progress and future prospects‎.‎ James cote‎'‎s lively‎,‎ debate‎-focused overview of the underlying paradigms and theories in youth studies ‎- drawn from the overlapping disciplines of sociology‎,‎ psychology and cultural studies ‎- functions both as an introduction to the area and as an exercise in critical thinking‎,‎ putting its readers on the cutting‎-edge of the field‎.‎ The chapters move from identifying the key ‎'‎threshold meta‎-concepts‎'‎ that influence research‎,‎ to showing readers how to critically evaluate key debates in areas that are central to students‎'‎ lives‎,‎ including education‎,‎ work‎,‎ family‎,‎ technologies‎,‎ youth culture‎,‎ identity and politics‎.‎ Youth studies is the ideal companion to youth‎-related degree programmes and to youth modules in sociology‎,‎ social work‎,‎ social policy‎,‎ psychology and other related disciplines‎.‎