International Journal of Conflict and Violence (Dec 2011)

Editorial Remarks: Youth at Risk

  • Steven F. Messner,
  • Wilhelm Heitmeyer

Journal volume & issue
Vol. 5, no. 2
pp. 237 – 239

Abstract

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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: &quot;Times New Roman Standard&quot;; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;" lang="EN-US">Youth must always be analysed with respect to two aspects: Firstly, as a <em>societally</em> shaped phase of life that varies socially and culturally across countries and regions, characterized by different chances of social integration and dangers of disintegration. Secondly, as <em>individual</em> biographies playing out in a specific societal dynamic of integration/disintegration, where experiences with violence as perpetrators or victims play an important role.</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px;">&nbsp;</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: &quot;Times New Roman Standard&quot;; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;" lang="EN-US">Life in particular societal constellations presents risks for certain parts of the young generation, just as the behavior of youth may itself pose risks in some societal situations. The way the general relationship varies across different national and cultural contexts is the question we have chosen to home in on in this issue of the journal. Post-war, post-dictatorial, developing, transformative, and precarious societal contexts form consistent points of reference for the contributions, which include both country-specific case studies and comparative investigations.</span></p>

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