Description:
Many criticisms of young people in the West excoriate a self-obsessed, 'snowflake' generation and the indulgent parents and teachers who enable them, cowed by fears of upsetting or alienating the kids. But, as sociologists Jennie Bristow and Ellie Lee show, pressure to affirm young people's views of themselves is applied by wider political and cultural dynamics, which corrode organic adult-child relationships. Consequently, young people's ability to develop a rounded, grounded sense of themselves suffers - as does their relationship with the adults who care for them.
The obsession with personal identity incites teenagers and emerging adults to short-circuit the dynamic process of growing up by adopting fashionable badges of self-presentation. But these stymie young people's access to the intimate intergenerational relationships that have historically provided the basis for development into maturity. Older people often find themselves positioned defensively on 'the wrong side of history', while young people's insecurity is intensified by an aggressive focus on the present.
How can we restore strong ties between the generations? In this sensitive, optimistic and ambitiously broad intervention, Bristow and Lee advocate a cultural narrative that supports adults' authority to say 'no' to our children, with love.
Review Quotes:
"This book is a fascinating, original examination of the fraying bonds between generations. It doesn't hesitate to lay blame where it belongs but avoids facile alarmism. A must-read for anyone concerned by the fact that something has gone awry with institutions responsible for forming the next generation."
Helen Joyce, author of Trans: Gender Identity and the New Battle for Women's Rights
"This is a smart, expansive analysis of growing up, with insights and talking points on every page. Lee and Bristowe engage unflinchingly with some of the hardest issues our society faces. Their book draws richly on sociology and other frameworks, highlighting the relevance of atomisation, cultural flashpoints and identity in what it means to be part of a family today. It's a clear, thoughtful and thought-provoking read, which I highly recommend."
Matilda Gosling, author of Teenagers: The Evidence Base