The sociology of adolescence and youth in the 1990s: A critical commentary

The 1990s saw considerable advances in the state of research on adolescence and youth. This article provides a critical commentary on a subset of this research, focusing on the causes and consequences of the lengthened period in which the transition to adulthood occurs. It provides a brief history o f adolescence research, identifying a select set of topics, themes, and res earch problems that will guide research on adolescence and youth over the n ext decade. These research foci, which include peer group relations, biolog ical influences on adolescence, employment experiences, increased autonomy, and racial and gender differences, are described as representing either co ntinuities or advances in adolescence research. The strengths and shortcomi ngs of this research are detailed. The paper concludes by suggesting promis ing areas for future research and by providing guidelines for undertaking s uch research.