Adolescence in India : An Annotated Bibliography/Suman Verma and T.S. Saraswathi. New Delhi, Rawat, 2002, 477 p., $44. ISBN 81-7033-722-4.

    Contents: 1. Introduction. 2. Adolescence demographic profile : adolescent development, time use, adolescent girls. 3. Physical and mental well-being. 4. Some contexts for socialization (Family, peers, media). 5. Education and schooling. 6. Work and employment. 7. Political and civic participation. 8. Delinquency and crime. 9. Personality and adjustment. 10. Morality. 11. Disabilities. 12. Social deprivation and institutionalization. 13. Policy and programs.

    "Annotating the literature of the past three decades, both theoretical and empirical, on the Indian adolescents, the present book examines the trends shaping adolescence in the areas of physical and mental well-being, family and peer relations, experience of schooling and their personality development. Issues concerning adolescents’ political participation, community involvement, social deprivation, crime, employment and services available are also addressed.

    The authors project a mixed future for adolescents in India. Rapid technological advancements, increasing materialism with its impact on adolescents’ value system and lifestyles are likely to result not only in intergenerational conflicts but will also provide opportunities for global connectivity, new role models with increasing peer influences which may become critical in deciding adolescents’ developmental trajectory. The gender divide may persist, and the youth will have to gear up for the changes in the skill profile of a worker in the labour market and seek specialized training for multiple skill requirements in the coming decades.

    The book is geared for scholars and students of social/developmental psychology, education, sociology, human development, psychiatry, as well as policy makers and practitioners." (jacket)

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