This book provides descriptions of adolescence in eight very different regions of the world.

1. The kaleidoscope of adolescence: experiences of the world's youth at the beginning of the 21st century B. Bradford Brown, Reed W. Larson and T. S. Saraswathi; 2. Demographic trends affecting youth around the world Elizabeth Fussell and Margaret E. Greene; 3. Adolescence in sub-Saharan Africa: an image constructed from Africa's triple inheritance A. Bame Nsamenang; 4. Adolescence in India: street urchins or Silicon Valley millionaires? Suman Verma and T. S. Saraswathi; 5. Adolescence in China and Japan: adapting to a changing environment Harold W. Stevenson and Akane Zusho; 6. Youth in Southeast Asia: living within the continuity of tradition and the turbulence of change Madelene Santa Maria; 7. Arab adolescents facing the future: enduring ideals and pressures to change Marilyn Booth; 8. Adolescents in Russia: surviving the turmoil and creating a brighter future Anna Stetsenko; 9. Adolescence in Latin America: facing the future with skepticism Carlos Welti Chanes; 10. Adolescents in Western countries in the 21st century: vast opportunities - for all? Jeffrey Jensen Arnett; 11. Adolescence in global perspective: an agenda for social policy T. S. Saraswathi and Reed W. Larson.