A study asked older and younger people about their transport needs and opinions. For younger people, the transition from education to employment was a key development stage in their lives during which it might be most effective to target efforts to influence their transport choices. Improving the frequency and reliability of public transport services was a key concern of both older and younger people.
Source: Tim Knight, Josie Dixon, Martha Warrener and Stephen Webster, Understanding the Travel Needs, Behaviour and Aspirations of People in Later Life, Department for Transport (0870 1226 236) | Jean Taylor, Matt Barnard, Clarissa White and Jane Lewis, Understanding the Travel Aspirations, Needs and Behaviour of Young Adults, Department for Transport
Links: Report (1) | Report (2) | DT press release
Date: 2007-Nov
Researchers examined the impact of young people's social capital in secondary schools – including their attitudes to diversity; their sense of school belonging; and their access to support networks. Young people with one form of social capital also tended to have another. Social capital and socio-psychological resources were unevenly distributed. Neighbourhood context and family support were important influences.
Source: Peter Stevens, Ruth Lupton, Tamjid Mujtaba and Leon Feinstein, The Development and Impact of Young People's Social Capital in Secondary Schools, Research Report 24, Centre for Research on the Wider Benefits of Learning/University of London (020 7612 6291)
Links: Report | Brief | CRWBL press release
Date: 2007-Nov
A think-tank report highlighted the difficult position of young people in relation to housing, employment, and debt. The government treated young people with 'indifference', 'inaction' and 'neglect'. The report said that there should be targeted tax reductions for young people.
Source: Nick Bosanquet, Andrew Haldenby, Peter Hoskin and Helen Rainbow, Class of 2007: Inaction sinks the IPOD generation, Reform (020 7799 6699)
Links: Report | Reform press release | Liberal Democrats press release
Date: 2007-Oct
A report examined the results of an initiative which aimed to provide children and young people with the opportunity to articulate their thoughts and feelings about the future of civil society, working with participatory arts projects.
Source: Jane Pitcher, Initiative to Engage Young People in Exploring the Future of Civil Society through the Arts, Carnegie UK Trust (01383 721445)
Links: Report
Date: 2007-Oct
The Department for Children, Schools and Families established a new Youth Taskforce, aimed at delivering positive outcomes for young people – including steps to prevent them getting into trouble, and encouraging them to have respect for their community. The new taskforce superseded the Respect Taskforce, which focused on preventing and tackling anti-social behaviour.
Source: Press release 5 October 2007, Department for Children, Schools and Families (0870 000 2288)
Links: DCSF press release | Young People Now report
Date: 2007-Oct
An article said that the withdrawal of young people from formal politics might be a result of their scepticism over the way the political system operated, rather than apathy; and that government social policy aimed at mobilizing social capital and addressing socio-economic issues might increase civic engagement.
Source: Matt Henn, Mark Weinstein and Sarah Hodgkinson, 'Social capital and political participation: understanding the dynamics of young people's political disengagement in contemporary Britain', Social Policy and Society, Volume 6 Issue 4
Links: Abstract
Date: 2007-Sep
An independent report said that black boys and young black men faced serious challenges in every sector of society. They were less likely to do well at school than their peers, more likely to be unemployed, and much more likely to became involved in the criminal justice system. Black teenagers urgently needed a new generation of role models – involving a shift of focus from rap stars, sports personalities, and celebrities, to successful businessmen, lawyers, and doctors..
Source: REACH Group, REACH: An independent report to government on raising the aspirations and attainment of black boys and young black men, Department for Communities and Local Government (0870 1226 236)
Links: Report | DCLG press release | NCH press release | CDF press release | Compass press release | Guardian report | BBC report
Date: 2007-Aug
An article said that the effects of becoming involved in youth volunteering were complex, multidirectional, and (in some cases) apparently contradictory. Although in some ways the activities appeared to serve essentially conservative functions (for example, by developing sympathy for those in positions of power), in other respects they engendered a much more critical stance to some aspects of young people's worlds.
Source: Rachel Brooks, 'Young people's extra-curricular activities: critical social engagement – or "something for the CV"?', Journal of Social Policy, Volume 36 Issue 3
Links: Abstract
Date: 2007-Jul
A survey (published by a volunteering charity called 'v') examined the personal passions of young people aged 16-25, and the issues that concerned them - both in the world at large and in their own communities. The results contradicted the idea that apathy prevented young people taking action: there was much in their lives that they cared passionately about and on which they would take action - given the right opportunity.
Source: Barriers Preventing Passionate Young People Acting on Their Concerns, v (020 7960 7000)
Links: Summary | v press release
Date: 2007-Jun
An article examined youth policy in Wales since devolution. It said that there was a policy vacuum, with a confusing array of initiatives, unclear lines of accountability, and widespread practitioner disillusionment.
Source: Howard Williamson, 'Youth policy in Wales since devolution: from vision to vacuum?', Contemporary Wales, Volume 19 Number 1
Links: Abstract
Date: 2007-Jun
A new book examined teenagers' acts of and engagement with citizenship in their local communities, and the role of citizenship education in creating responsible citizens.
Source: Susie Weller, Teenagers' Citizenship: Experiences and education, Taylor and Francis (020 7583 9855)
Links: Summary
Date: 2007-Apr
An article examined the ways in which citizenship was learned and 'lived' by young people themselves.
Source: Tom Hall and Amanda Coffey, 'Learning selves and citizenship: gender and youth transitions', Journal of Social Policy, Volume 36 Issue 2
Links: Abstract
Date: 2007-Apr
Researchers reviewed the literature on the impact of the voice of young people on policy and practice, and on young people themselves. There was a growing culture of participation, with insights and ideas from the younger generation recognized as valuable in potentially shaping services and policies which affected their lives and others in the community.
Source: Karen Halsey, Jenny Murfield, Jennie Harland and Pippa Lord, The Voice of Young People: An engine for improvement? Scoping the evidence, CfBT Education Trust (0118 902 1000)
Date: 2007-Apr
A new book examined contemporary debates about youth, in areas such as: transitions to adulthood, education, crime policy and criminology, consumption, and youth culture.
Source: Alan France, Understanding Youth in Late Modernity, Open University Press (01280 823388)
Links: Summary
Date: 2007-Apr
A new book examined the issues that confronted black young people, and sought to challenge the negative representation of them.
Source: Momodou Sallah and Carlton Howson, Working with Black Young People, Russell House Publishing (01297 443948)
Links: Summary
Date: 2007-Mar
A new book examined the changing context and nature of youth, and the key social practices that gave shape to young people's lives.
Source: Mary Jane Kehily (ed.), Understanding Youth: Perspectives, identities and practices, SAGE Publications Ltd (020 7324 8500)
Links: Summary
Date: 2007-Mar
The government published a discussion paper setting out evidence gathered during the first stage of a review into the challenges faced by children and young people. It identified the next areas the review would examine to inform the 2007 comprehensive spending review and the government's forthcoming 10-year youth strategy. The paper said that teenage years were a time of change and increased personal responsibility, and that regular participation in positive activities helped young people cope with change, develop confidence, and build new skills. Almost two-thirds of those aged 11-15 already participated in groups, clubs, or organizations each year: but the government was determined to increase participation further, and to give young people more control over the activities and facilities available in their communities.
Source: Policy Review of Children and Young People: A discussion paper, HM Treasury (020 7270 4558) and Department for Education and Skills
Links: Discussion paper | Hansard | HMT press release | ECM press release | EDCM press release | Young People Now report | Community Care report
Date: 2007-Jan
A survey found that the majority of young people aged 13-18 had positive attitudes towards work and families, and said their parents were the people they most admired. Teenagers were more confident, respectful, and caring about the world they lived in than many of the stereotypes commonly applied to them.
Source: nfpSynergy, Typical Young People: A study of what young people are really like today, Scout Association (0845 300 1818)
Links: Link removed
Date: 2007-Jan