The Me-Generation in a Post-Collectivist Space

The book describes socialisation processes and the reaching of adulthood by the youth in 9 post-communist countries in Europe and Asia. The analyses consider internal political transformations and global influences. The comparison shows that the young, disappointed, consumption-oriented generation can hardly be seen as «the driver of the change».

As a result of ongoing political transformation, post-communist countries are opening up to a global world and its influence. This poses new challenges and complicates the socialisation process of young people. In this book, the authors ask what orientation changes can follow, when they are determined by the resources of innovativeness of a young generation and structural limitations of a system. The basis of analyses were different types of national and international sources, collected in reference to nine post-communist countries in Europe and Asia. The comparison leads to a surprising conclusion: It is difficult to perceive representatives of the first generation, whose growing up has taken place only in the new political system, as «the drivers of the change».

Autorentext

Krystyna Szafraniec is a professor at the Institute of Sociology at Nicolaus Copernicus University in Torü (Poland). She leads a team of multigenerational researchers who analyse modern Polish society in terms of socialisation, educational and generational processes. Besides, she manages interdisciplinary research projects about the youth and young adults. The co-authors Jaros aw Domalewski, Krzysztof Wasielewski, Pawe Szymborski and Marcin Wernerowicz are associated with the same institute at Nicolaus Copernicus University.

Inhalt

Methodological and theoretical framework Structural dimensions of system transformation Socialisation processes and their results Changes in the education system Entering labour market and adulthood Presence of the young in the public sphere Division lines and threats to social cohesion