Youth in Cities : A Cross-National Perspective (The Jacobs Foundation Series on Adolescence)

Rating:
Summary: Gold nuggets on youth development
Review: This is a collection of chapters from different parts of the world about the welfare of children in cities. Rural to urban migration is ubiquitous, especially in developing countries but the promise of a better life is not often fulfilled. What I liked most about this collection is that many chapters reflected the youth's perspectives. Chapters by Jill Swart-Kruger and Louise Chawla on children's leadership and by Earls and Carlson on adolescents as collaborators address the always-difficult issue of how to "help" while retaining the "helpees" authority and dignity. Another chapter on youth's work addresses the critical issue of when, how, and under what circumstances is work harmful to children, and when can it be a beneficial learning experience. Although this is an academic book, aimed at researchers and service providers, anyone interested in children's development would enjoy reading about the challenges youth face and the many coping strategies they use.