The topic of adolescent development in Europe is one which has received little academic attention in recent years. Developmental Tasks in Adolescence makes an exciting contribution to the field by applying socialisation theory to four major developmental tasks of life: Qualifying, Bonding, Consumption and Participation, arguing that if the tasks in these areas are mastered, then personal individuation and social integration can take place, a prerequisite for the formation of self-identity. In highly developed societies, adolescence encompasses a period of about 15 years on average. Puberty, or the transition from childhood, starts earlier and earlier, and the transition to adulthood is increasingly postponed. Developmental Tasks in Adolescence proposes that the way in which adolescents master the tasks of everyday life has become a pattern of orientation for the life stages which follow because of the new lifestyle requirements that are typical for modern democratic societies. Today, a life full of uncertainties and ambiguities is no longer limited to adolescence, but rather continues into adulthood. Hurrelmann and Quenzel's sociological approach is valuable reading for students and academics in psychology, sociology, education, social work and youth studies, and for those on professional training courses in these fields.

The topic of adolescent development in Europe is one which has received little academic attention in recent years. Developmental Tasks in Adolescence makes an exciting contribution to the field by applying socialisation theory to four major developmental tasks of life: Qualifying, Bonding, Consumption and Participation, arguing that if the tasks in these areas are mastered, then personal individuation and social integration can take place, a prerequisite for the formation of self-identity. In highly developed societies, adolescence encompasses a period of about 15 years on average. Puberty, or the transition from childhood, starts earlier and earlier, and the transition to adulthood is increasingly postponed. Developmental Tasks in Adolescence proposes that the way in which adolescents master the tasks of everyday life has become a pattern of orientation for the life stages which follow because of the new lifestyle requirements that are typical for modern democratic societies. Today, a life full of uncertainties and ambiguities is no longer limited to adolescence, but rather continues into adulthood. Hurrelmann and Quenzel's sociological approach is valuable reading for students and academics in psychology, sociology, education, social work and youth studies, and for those on professional training courses in these fields.

Obwohl Bildungsbenachteiligung seit langem ein Thema der Ungleichheitsforschung ist, sind die individuellen und strukturellen Ursachen der neuen Bildungsarmut nur wenig erforscht. Das Buch schliesst diese Lucke. Wahrend sich der Wettbewerb auf dem Arbeitsmarkt verscharft, geraten diejenigen ins Hintertreffen, die den wachsenden Qualifikationsanforderungen nicht nachkommen. Diese sind von dauerhafter Exklusion aus dem Arbeitsmarkt bedroht - mit Konsequenzen fur die soziale Integration, die Lebenszufriedenheit, die Gesundheit und die politischen Einstellungen. Dieses Buch versammelt die aktuelle Forschung uber die Ursachen und die Folgen der neuen Ungleichheiten in der Bildungsgesellschaft. Es beantwortet die Frage, wer heute zu den "Bildungsverlieren" gehoert, welche individuellen und gesellschaftlichen Ursachen Bildungsarmut hat, was es fur ein Individuen bedeutet, zu den "Bildungsverlierern" zu gehoeren, was es eine Gesellschaft kostet, einen Teil ihrer Jugend quasi "abzuhangen", und sucht nach effizienten politischen und padagogischen Interventionsansatzen.