New book explores global perspectives on the adolescent experience

08 Mar 2024    

Youth today are growing up in a context of accelerating technological advances and access, globalization, mobility, and for many, deeply challenging and unsafe situations such as war and extreme poverty. “Global Perspectives on Adolescents and their Families” brings together leading scholars from around the world to discuss the contemporary realities of adolescents. 

This volume was edited by University of Nebraska-Lincoln professor Yan Ruth Xia, professor Maria de Guzman, and associate professor Cody Hollist, all in the Department of Child, Youth and Family Studies; and Rosario Estinaou from Centro de Investigaciones y Estudios Superiores en Antropología Social. 

“The experiences of young people vary significantly because of their cultural settings, community context, circumstances, and other factors in their lives,” Xia said. “Yet, this reality is not necessarily reflected in current theories about youth development.” 

The team hopes this book will inform researchers, faculty, students and other professionals who focus on youth regarding the vast range of experiences of adolescents around the world and the factors that support their wellbeing. 

“The book tackles some of the most challenging contexts that many adolescents around the world face including sociopolitical strife, violence and poverty,” said de Guzman, who also serves as chair of UNL’s Department of Textiles, Merchandising and Fashion Design. “Contributors also highlight the tremendous resilience of youth and the role of family as a critical source of support.” 

Published by Springer Nature as part of the International and Cultural Psychology series, contributors to this volume include scholars from the U.S., Philippines, Poland, China, Mexico, Kenya, Hong Kong, and Brazil. Information about the volume can be found at: https://link.springer.com/book/10.1007/978-3-031-49230-3