One of the issues at the end of the 20th century in Europe is the process of Europeanization, including the widening of Europe to the East. This book draws upon a variety of sources to show how different ideas of youth were constructed in East and West Europe in the course of modernization under both Communism and welfare capitalism. Modern concepts of youth, the book argues, have been de-constructed and re-constructed by changes in state policies, the labour market, education and popular culture so that it is no longer so clear who youth are or how they can be helped. The book is aimed at departments of sociology (courses in education, youth and the family), social policy and politics.