Anthony
M. Abela. 2001. Youth Participation in Voluntary Organisations in Malta,
A comparative analysis of European Values Studies. Malta: Parliamentary
Secretariat, Ministry of Education. 140 pp.
Youth Participation in Voluntary Organisations
brings together three interrelated papers in youth studies. The author
complements comparative data analyses of the European Values Study and
a national youth survey, with an in-dept study of life histories of young
Catholic adults.
The first chapter examines changing voluntary
activities of young people over the past fifteen years in a comparative
European perspective, in terms of socio-demographic characteristics, new
lifestyles, shifts in values and solidarity towards people in need.
The second chapter is concerned with deviant behaviour
and accounts for the unconventional lifestyles of young people with social
problems. The final chapter traces the similar
origins but also the multiple destinations of young Catholics in contemporary
Malta. On this basis, an international study of life histories discusses
the emergence of new Catholic identities for the society of the future.
This book is recommended reading for youth leaders,
teachers and students in the social sciences, policy makers and all those
who have an interest in the well being of young people.