ITALIAN YOUTH STUDIES. Life conditions, participation and public space.

This book is the result of a project which aims at presenting various empirical youth studies on Italian contexts. Together with the analysis and reflection on youth phenomena, the research referred to focuses on differences found in the particular general scenario of a European country and its specific areas, such as the Campania region in southern Italy. A related objective concerns the development of national and regional empirical sample bases and analyses in support of European youth studies with the contribution of multi-purpose surveys. The topics selected reflect some of the main areas of study developed over the last few decades in research concerning young people. The work explores dimensions related to the present condition, considering experiences and goals achieved in the trajectories of one's life, orientations with respect to values and the moral and ethical spheres, the propensity of young people to plan their future, and also dimensions relating to personal traits, such us self-representation (the perception of one's abilities and self-confidence and in social relationships). Education and work are key dimensions in the life paths of young people. These topics are observed from the point of view of the perception of young people, exploring the value attributed by them to education and basic training, the acquisition of a professional status and their vision of work. The two final thematic areas of interest are the commitment of the younger generations in real and digital public spaces. These themes raise interesting questions concerning the current phenomena of aggregation and participation on the part of young people, especially with regard to the potential of the media and practices in places where electronic and digital citizenship may be exercised.