The Precarious Generation ― How Policy Makers Generate Disadvantage Among Young People and What Can Be Done About It

Many young people born since the early 1980s face unprecedented social and economic disadvantage. While they spend more time in education, even university graduates now find it difficult to access full-time work, find affordable decent housing or enjoy the economic security needed to start families.

This book draws on the voices of young people to document their experiences in increasingly unequal societies like the USA, United Kingdom, France, Spain and Australia. While governments and experts refer to new technologies, ‘globalisation’ and ‘risk society’ to explain their plight, the authors maintain we need look no further than recent public policies adopted by governments wedded to advancing ‘market capitalism’ to understand why this is happening.

Judith Bessant is a Professor in the School of Global, Urban and Social Studies at RMIT University, Australia

Rys Farthing is a consultant based in London.

Rob Watts is a Professor in the School of Global, Urban and Social Studies at RMIT University, Australia