Elgar Advanced Introductions are stimulating and thoughtful introductions to major fields in the social sciences, business and law, expertly written by the world's leading scholars. Designed to be accessible yet rigorous, they offer concise and lucid surveys of the substantive and policy issues associated with discrete subject areas. This Advanced Introduction to Youth Studies analyses the historical development of the sociology of youth in the context of changing population demographics. Howard Williamson and James Cote explore competing paradigms underlying current understandings of youth with reference to key philosophical, theoretical and methodological debates. Young people's transitions to adulthood and youth cultural behaviour are then explored. The authors conclude with a consideration of youth policies and how, in the future, these may be better informed by sociological research. Key Features: Fact-based analysis of key debates Sociological perspectives informed by multidisciplinary analyses Concise coverage of complex topics Policy recommendations informed by years of experience in the field This Advanced Introduction will provide essential reading for scholars and researchers of sociology and sociological theory, as well as youth workers and students looking for an excellent introduction to youth studies.

Opening novel avenues of knowledge in the study of African philanthropy and development, this incisive book provides a critical assessment of philanthropic responses during crisis and non-crisis periods. It explores how collaboration between multilateral institutions and philanthropic organisations during a crisis can be harnessed and replicated to address the continent's developmental challenges during non-crisis periods. Combining empirical insights with cutting edge theory, this forward-thinking book investigates the activities of high-net worth individuals, foundations, and corporate actors working with governments to create shared value. Through individual case studies and comparative analyses across diverse sectors and geographies, chapters demonstrate how shared value is crucial to building resilience in societies through philanthropy. The book ultimately makes a call for deeper and more meaningful forms of collaboration among the key actors in society: governments, the private sector, high-net worth individuals, and multilateral institutions. This highly innovative book will be an essential resource for researchers and academics interested in development studies, the sociology of organisations, and social policy in developing countries. Its empirical grounding will also inform policy responses in crisis and non-crisis periods.

Elgar Advanced Introductions are stimulating and thoughtful introductions to major fields in the social sciences, business and law, expertly written by the world's leading scholars. Designed to be accessible yet rigorous, they offer concise and lucid surveys of the substantive and policy issues associated with discrete subject areas. Shanyang Zhao provides a unique examination of this evolving topic with a framework to address the common questions: What is self? How is self formed? and Why does self matter? Drawing a fascinating distinction between self and self-concept, Zhao regards both as part of a larger constellation named the 'self-phenomenon.' He separates social determinants of self from neurocognitive prerequisites of self. Focusing on the social determinants, he reviews how social schemas shape self-concept through three intertwined mechanisms and how social resources affect self-conscious action through social position and social capital. Key Features: A clear distinction between self and self-concept A study of the self as both a social product and a social force A new framework for the sociology of the self, built on the foundation of classic works A close examination of three mechanisms of self-concept formation with specifications of the scope conditions under which each mechanism operates An analysis of the distinctiveness of human normative selves through cross-species comparison This Advanced Introduction will provide essential reading for scholars and researchers in sociology, social psychology, and social policy.

The first one thousand days of human life, or the period between conception and age two, is one of the most pivotal periods of human development. Optimizing nutrition during this time not only prevents childhood malnutrition but also determines future health and potential. The Politics of Potential examines early life interventions in the first one thousand days of life in South Africa, drawing on fieldwork from international conferences, government offices, health-care facilities, and the everyday lives of fifteen women and their families in Cape Town.

Michelle Pentecost explores various aspects of a politics of potential, a term that underlines the first one thousand days concept and its effects on clinical care and the lives of childbearing women in South Africa. Why was the First One Thousand Days project so readily adopted by South Africa and many other countries? Pentecost not only explores this question but also discusses the science of intergenerational transmissions of health, disease, and human capital and how this constitutes new forms of intergenerational responsibility.

The women who are the target of first one thousdand days interventions are cast as both vulnerable and responsible for the health of future generations, such that, despite its history, intergenerational responsibility in South Africa remains entrenched in powerfully gendered and racialized ways.

The author's royalties from this book are being donated to Saint Frances Hospice, a charity that cares for people with palliative and end of life care needs. The kindness project is full of practical, actionable ideas on how you can make the world a kinder place one small step at a time, and in turn improve your own personal wellbeing. We'll explore how you can be kind every single day we'll look at how to be kind whilst at home and at work, and examine, importantly, how to be kinder to ourselves. From the co-host of the Kindness Project Podcast, Chris Daems, comes a book about hope, about faith in his fellow humans and why finding small incremental ways to be kind every single day can help us become happier and healthier. Learning from some of the kindest people on our planet, Chris explains how we all benefit from being a little kinder and whilst looking for kindness in others found his own road to being a little bit kinder himself. Further details "In The Kindness Project, Chris Daems gifts readers a brazenly honest and highly engaging account of his own quest to be kinder in life. -Lauren Janus "This is a book that makes you reflect on your own character and relationships, what it means to be kind to yourself and others. A warm, enjoyable, inspirational read, packed full of wisdom and actionable ideas." -KeithBoyes

'Packed with stories and advice that will have you laughing and crying.' - Cosmopolitan In this groundbreaking book, beauty influencer and podcaster Anchal Seda openly and honestly explores the shared experiences of "the brown girls" from Indian, Pakistani, and Bangladeshi women living in the Western world. What Would the Aunties Say? is packed full of advice to help you handle our culture, be yourself, live your best life, and, of course, deal with the Aunties. Navigating the ups and downs of life in our community can be challenging. We live in a very different world today to our parents, uncles, aunties, and grandparents, which comes with lots of unwritten rules and expectations. But you're not alone. Filled with humour and warmth, and based on the podcast of the same name, in What Would the Aunties Say? Anchal shares her own experiences with the stories and dilemmas of other young women like her. It takes you through every aspect of life - from education and career, beauty standards and colourism, to dating and marriage, as well as mental health and therapy, racism and inequality - and of course, your relationship with your family. This book will make you laugh and cry and nod your head in recognition. It will help you handle the challenges we face and encourage you to embrace the benefits of the fusion of East and West while inspiring you to be unapologetically yourself.

BFFs examines female friendship as a site of radical intimacy, as told through the cultural touchstones around us. From Elena Ferrante to Booksmart, Little Women to Insecure, and beyond, the book considers how female friendships can offer a more expansive and emancipatory understanding of female intimacy.

Contingent Workers' Voice in Southern Europe investigates the manifold challenges posed by the continued expansion of the platform economy, the rise of non-standard forms of employment, and the diversification of work identities. Leading authors explore the potentialities and barriers for collective protection and representation of contingent workers in the platform economy, based on the experiences, needs, and aspirations of workers in Italy and Spain. Chapters undertake in-depth analyses of a diverse and innovative variety of initiatives for the protection, organization, and representation of contingent workers. The book ultimately constructs a framework to interpret the evolution of contingent workers' experiences, allowing trade unions, social movements, and cooperatives to develop organizational and representative practices that better respond to their needs. This incisive book will be of interest to researchers and advanced students of sociology, international relations, political science, and labour law. Its practical insights will also enable trade unionists, activists, and policymakers in the field of labour relations to make informed decisions and identify possible avenues for development.

Hair is potent. It can be an emotional and intense matter across gender - it will grow in places you don't like, it may desert you - suddenly, or gradually. It is a symbol of gender, sexuality, status, and more. Part memoir, part investigation across history, politics, religion, and culture, Hair/Power explores the power, control and ultimate liberation that hair can provide.

Adopting an interdisciplinary approach this book provides a cutting-edge, in-depth account of social policy research today, how we got here, and where future research should be headed. It defines the core research agenda for the future covering multiple social policy fields, including care, family, health, and housing policy as well as gender equality, labour market policy, and welfare attitudes. The book brings together a unique combination of scholars from social policy, sociology, political science, international relations, and law, who explore how European societies have changed over the last 20 years, the future challenges which need to be addressed and the role for social policy research. The editors argue that to advance research on European social policy, we need to develop a better understanding of the interplay between multiple policies, invest more resources in theoretical development, and effectively utilize perhaps the greatest asset of European social policy research - its multidisciplinarity. Offering crucial insights into the dynamic nature of social policy research, this book will be a valuable guide for social policy scholars and students. Its discussion of a broad range of social policy areas will also be useful for practitioners and policymakers across a wide range of social policy fields.

This book examines how ancient myths have developed and still survive in the collective public imagination in order to answer fundamental questions concerning the individual, society and historical heritage: On what basis do we form our opinion and develop attitudes about key issues? What is, and how should, the relationship between ourselves and nature be oriented? And what is the relationship between ourselves and others? Advancing a critical analysis of myths, Andrea Cerroni reveals the inconsistencies and consequences of our contemporary imagination, addressing neoliberalism in particular. The book elaborates a sociological theology from historical reconstruction, drawing together analytical concepts such as political theology and sociological imagination. It brings into focus a cultural matrix comprising ancient myths about nature, society and knowledge, in opposition to modern myths built around reductionism, individualism and relativism. Providing suggestions for deconstructing these myths, Contemporary Sociological Theology explores concepts of reflexive complexity, Gramscian democratic politics and a general relativisation of knowledge. Highly interdisciplinary, this book will be an insightful read for sociology and social policy scholars, for students with a particular interest in sociological theory, cultural sociology and innovation policy and for all those who seek awareness of the imagination that rules our world.

This exciting new book is both practical and theoretical. It is a pioneering work of integrated praxis, situating theory within a participatory worldview and grounding practice in the important issues of our times - social justice and sustainability. Ledwith and Springett's ideas are founded on two premises. Firstly, transformative practice begins in the stories of people's everyday lives, and practical theory generated from these narratives is the best way to inform both policy and practice. This innovative approach bridges the divide between ideas and practice, and allows the development of the knowledge needed to bring about transformative social change. Secondly, participatory approaches to practice allow practitioners not only to critically examine the world, but also to reflect on the way in which they view the world in order to situate their local practice more relevantly within bigger social issues. Participatory practice is structured in an unfolding and engaging way. It is divided into two major sections: the first, 'A Participatory Paradigm', considers theory in relation to current times, and the second, 'Participatory Practice', develops skills related to this thinking. The book will be of interest to both academics and community-based practitioners.

Elgar Advanced Introductions are stimulating and thoughtful introductions to major fields in the social sciences, business and law, expertly written by the world's leading scholars. Designed to be accessible yet rigorous, they offer concise and lucid surveys of the substantive and policy issues associated with discrete subject areas. This Advanced Introduction examines the economic, social, and political conditions that have shaped the 21st century workplace in wealthy democracies, highlighting the changes in work since the 1970s which have produced the 'new economy'. Amy S. Wharton illuminates important aspects of today's workplace, including the service economy, customer-facing jobs, the transformative effects of digital platforms, and the 'opening' of the employment relationship. Key Features: Analysis of algorithms and the gig economy in the broader context of workplace change Insight into the interconnections between gender, work, and family, as well as the sources of stability and change in these relations over time Understanding changes in the spatial, physical, and temporal aspects of work and their impacts on workers and families Foregrounds inequality, using the intersectional lenses of race, class, gender, and citizenship to explore this issue Revealing the continuities and discontinuities between the workplace of the past and the present, this Advanced Introduction will be a valuable guide for sociology researchers and advanced students. Business scholars, students and leaders will also benefit from its discussion of platform-based service work and the rise of nonstandard, contingent, and temporary jobs.

In 1994, the Rwandan government orchestrated a campaign of extermination, in which everyone in the Hutu majority was called upon to murder everyone in the Tutsi minority. Close to a million people were slaughtered in a hundred days, and the rest of the world did nothing to stop it. A year later, journalist Philip Gourevitch went to Rwanda to investigate the most unambiguous genocide since Hitler’s war against the Jews.

Hailed by the Guardian as one of the hundred greatest non-fiction books of all time, and now celebrated as part of the Picador Collection, We Wish To Inform You That Tomorrow We Will Be Killed With Our Families is an unforgettable anatomy of Rwanda’s decimation. As riveting as it is moving, it is a profound reckoning with humanity’s betrayal and its perseverance.

In a time unremembered, this author was found washed up on the shores of Lake Titicaca. In his possession was this book. This book is a map, it tells you where you've come from, it tells you where you're going, it tells you where you are. It tells you what is hidden and what will be revealed, and it tells you how to get out alive if only youa d remember

This accessible textbook provides a comprehensive guide to the building blocks of sustainable social enterprise, exploring how core elements contribute to either the success or failure of the social venture. It analyzes the key skills needed to synthesize effective business practices with effective social innovation and points out both what works and what does not. Taking a practical approach, it demonstrates how big ideas can be transformed into entities that produce lasting change. Key Features: Discussion questions and activities to aid student learning and debate A multi-part case study that helps students see social enterprise in practice Recommended resources sections that encourage students to explore the topic further Readable, real-life anecdotes, examples, and analogies that illustrate how social entrepreneurship initiatives operate Learning objectives and chapter summaries to guide students through key topics including product development, idea generation, social change theory, marketing, and operating structures Making the case that social entrepreneurship may be the most effective way to bring about positive changes in society, this textbook will be an essential resource for introductory courses and electives in social entrepreneurship.

Smile, lift up your Voices. Life is your Play. Wander around on the stage of Life and Learn. LEARN is the fifth book by the secular philosopher bill thompson after SMILE, VOICES, PLAY, WANDER, and now LEARN. The book is for those who have had enough of Homo Sapiens and are turning to Homo Conatus who is always waiting in the wings of the greek theatres of words. Homo Conatus, wanting to exist and enhance the SELF. Individuals needing a progressive politics, a shared EARTH in order to flourish safely. This requires DEPTH, an existential that and how. A basic understanding of biology and cosmology on top of any old sapient understandings of space and time machines. This new understanding that Homo Conatus requires turns Freudianism upside down and microcosmic. Hysteria is normal. Boring is normal. In between is Play. This new deal for the children of the 21st Century has been researched by the Greeks [Aristotle], Romans [Cicero], Descartes, Hobbes, Spinoza, Leibniz, and Newton [not as a mechanics but] as the complexity that surpasses the understandings of the older Homo Sapiens because of quantum electrodynamics or chemistry for short. Quantum Dynamic Homeostasis. So Darwin and then secular universities around the world for our teleonomic developments, new technologies. Any chances of a maintaining a civil order whilst opening up to diverse opinionsa has to change gear from sapiens to Conatus and embrace the teleonomics of the modern synthesis [1958]. Not a lot of people know enough about this yet, and Learn is the fifth a introduction to Homo Conatusa by the secular philosopher bill thompson [who is still trying to work out what it is like to be human]. And is that not what you do on a daily basis?