The promise of youth studies is not in simply showing that class, gender and race continue to influence life chances, but to show how they shape young lives today. Dan Woodman and Johanna Wyn argue that understanding new forms of inequality in a context of increasing social change is a central challenge for youth researchers. Youth and Generation sets an agenda for youth studies building on the concepts of 'social generation' and 'individualisation' to suggest a framework for thinking about change and inequality in young lives in the emerging Asian Century.

Chapter 1: Continuity and Change Individualisation Generation New Life Patterns Structure of the BookChapter 2: Global Change and Inequality Education, Urbanisation and Employment Inequality Australia in a Changing World The Failure of the Neoliberal Promise Theory in Youth StudiesChapter 3: Individualisation Understanding Changing Patterns Bringing Zombie Categories Back to Life The Creation of the Choice Biography Holding Lives Together Researching the Making of Inequality in New TimesChapter 4: Generations The Emergence and Marginalisation of the Sociology of Generations What is a Generation? Intergenerational Relationships When does a Generation Emerge?Chapter 5: Transitions Youth Transitions and Development Transition Regimes and the Making of a Generations Research and ReflexivityChapter 6: Cultures Concepts of Subculture Post-subcultures Continuity and Change in Cultures Research Generational Change, Cultures and Divisions Blurring BoundariesChapter 7: Time Social Change and Synchronisation Sociality and the Digital Revolution Time, Youth Cultures and Inequality The Present, Past and FutureChapter 8: Place The Invisibility of Place Theorising Young People and Place Mobilities, Cultures and Place Making Place Visible Place and Global Generations Young People Making a Place for ThemselvesChapter 9: Conclusion Generations, Transitions, Cultures Time, Place and the Future