Anthony M. Abela. 2001. Youth Participation in Voluntary Activities in Malta: A Comparative Analysis of European Values Studies. Malta: Parliamentary Secretariat, Ministry of Education. 140 pp.

Research in the field of youth studies and especially youth culture often reflects an avid interest in modernity, modernisation and globalisation. This theme runs throughout the present collection of research papers and reports by Professor Anthony M. Abela. In Youth Participation in Voluntary Organisations Abela examines a series of related issues concerning young people in Malta at the dawn of the new millennium, namely: their voluntary activities and the characteristics and values of members and workers in the voluntary sector; deviance and discontent among youth: and the various trajectories of religious development of young people in the Maltese islands. Abela highlights the tensions of difference and similarity in the lifeworld of young people erupting from globalisation processes.

Abela avoids the pitfalls of stereotypical definitions of youth either as associated with the dangers of the future or with future hopes and promises of progress and a new life. He neither idealises young people nor ignores the real risks and problems that do exist among them. He identifies trends of how young people express themselves constructively and at times less so resulting in both altruistic and unconventional behaviour. This study examines the transformation of local youth culture in terms of voluntary activities, deviance and religious involvement. A salient theme is a marked change in knowledge, values, attitudes, beliefs and behaviour concomitant with the process of rationalisation and globalisation.

The first chapter observes how youths in Malta have lower rates of belonging to voluntary organisations but higher rates of involvement in voluntary work than their counterparts in the rest of Europe. Within the local context it emerges that young people’s participation in traditional organisations such as those belonging to the church have dropped while their involvement in new style organisations such as environmental groups or sports has increased. Those involved in the voluntary sector manifest more political activity, have greater interest in social issues and are more willing to accept the socially excluded than youth who are not similarly involved. Long-term involvement in an organisation is no longer the norm. Youth are rather opting for ‘involvement in piecemeal voluntary activities’. Similar to their European counterparts, young people who are very involved in the voluntary sector manifest a post traditional and post materialist value orientation. They identify with the idea of a united Europe. As our local youth come under the influence of global culture they are more likely to adhere to individualised values and lifestyles.

The second chapter focuses on the experience of discontent among youth in the Maltese islands. Abela interprets the apparent increase in crime and drug abuse among the younger generation as an indication of discontent. He highlights how Maltese youth are identifying with global youth culture as indicated by their increasing identification with the rave culture and participation in rave parties. Abela’s findings indicate that traditional morality is giving way to a more individual morality and consequently a more permissive behaviour.

With regards to Catholic culture, Abela’s qualitative research indicates that both transformation and continuation is evident. This is clearly exposed in the third chapter. Abela traces the religious and moral journeys of a sample of young Maltese Catholics in order to identify the various trajectories embarked on. An emergent theme is that many young Catholics have similar origins which develop into multiple spiritual destinations. Abela concludes that ‘religious homogeneity of former times is giving way to a multiplicity of Catholic identities’. Traditional morality as promoted by the Catholic church is being replaced by a more individualised spirituality contributing to a secularised society.

Abela has provided us with yet another glimpse at the continually changing lifeworld of young people in Malta. He is perceptive in detecting trends and conflicts in late modern youth culture and adopts an ambivalent attitude instead of narrowly judging today’s young people as either good or evil. In exploring three aspects of youth culture, this text has been able to hold different dimensions of the lifeworld of youth apart while relating them to each other and depicting their mutual interplay. The strength of this text also lies in the use of a variety of empirical methods including both quantitative statistical analysis and a more qualitative biographical approach.

The book is written in a clear logical manner but does require some knowledge of sociological perspectives in order to be thoroughly appreciated. The index, table of contents, tables and extensive bibliography are current, clear and helpful. Abela’s latest book is certainly an important contribution to the continuing dialogue on youth, culture and modernity.

Marilyn Clark PhD

The Sunday Times 25 March 2001.