Some Young People

Pearl Jephcott

• Publisher: Routledge
• Year: 2023
• Print ISBN: 9781032330068
• eBook ISBN: 9781000863079
• Topic: Social Sciences
• Subtopic: Sociology
• Index: Social Sciences

"The Richardson boys ganged up with two other big families in their buildings and, at various ages, had tried out most of the local youth organisations. Bert Richardson with a suitable set of brothers and mates, was in the Scouts, but they got ejected. Later, at thirteen, he joined a boys' club for its boxing and football, and belonged on and off till he was sixteen. Then he suddenly dropped out."

Why did Bert drop out? Originally published in 1954, the answer forms the substance of Some Young People, the report of an inquiry into adolescents' reactions to their local youth groups. Besides answering the question "Who joins what?" (and two thirds of these thousand youngsters of 14 to 17 were not members of any youth organisation) the book describes some of the hopes, pleasures and difficulties of such people as Frances, the chocolate packer, who has ambition to marry before long; and John, the carpenter's apprentice, whose passions are autocycling, pigeons and pigs. It also throws light on problems such as those presented by gangs; and suggests the importance of "my friends," the closely-knit set who mean so much to the adolescent.

Table of contents

• Cover
• Half Title
• Title Page
• Copyright Page
• New Foreword
• Half Title
• Dedication
• Original Title Page
• Original Copyright Page
• Foreword by Sir Arthur Bryant
• Prefatory Note
• Table of Contents
• Part I: The Object of the Enquiry
• Part II: Place and People (Town Areas)
• Part III: Relationship With Youth Organizations in Town Areas
• Part IV: The Enquiry in The Country Areas (Oxfordshire and Bucks)
• Part V: Conclusions
• Appendix I—Terms of Reference
• Appendix II—
• Appendix III—Acknowledgments