This volume utilizes the emergent adulthood framework to further our understanding of marginalized youth in contemporary societies. Using data from a longitudinal study named Risky Business, the authors outline the fundamental characteristics of emerging adulthood through the lens of stories of street-involved youth. These stories inform an understanding of the powerfulness of emerging adulthood theory as a "process;" in particular, they illustrate emerging adults' view of adulthood as comprised of a) accepting responsibility for oneself, b) making independent decisions, and c) becoming financially independent. Further, street-involved youth experience and practice emerging adulthood, and then adulthood, unusually early and under unusual conditions. By examining this developmental process, the book makes a valuable contribution to research on the causes and consequences of the early onset of adulthood, the experience of instability in emerging adulthood, and the importance of social institutions' presence or absence during this period of life.

Doug Magnuson's profile page

Mikael Jansson is a professor in the Department of Sociology at the University of Victoria.

Mikael Jansson's profile page

Cecilia Benoit is a professor in the Department of Sociology at the University of Victoria.

Cecilia Benoit's profile page

"Magnuson, Jansson, and Benoit draw upon data from a truly remarkable study to describe the complex and nuanced trajectories of these highly marginalized young people--from compassionately framed individual narratives to systems-level analyses. This thorough, theoretically-grounded analysis of the wicked problem of youth homelessness will be of great interest to a wide audience exploring this topic and an asset in any course focusing on poverty, youth, and social inequities."

--Sean A. Kidd, Associate Professor of Psychiatry, University of Toronto

"Based on a groundbreaking study of 64 street-involved youth followed for 10 years, this book explores their diverse paths, and provides a refreshing, hopeful perspective on their prospects for successful transitions to adulthood. Woven into their stories are clear directions for practices and policies that can assist street-involved youth to achieve stable and engaged futures."

--Nancy L. Galambos, Professor of Psychology, University of Alberta

"Magnuson, Jansson, and Benoit present a compelling longitudinal analysis of the ways in which street entrenched young people navigate, negotiate, and survive within a backdrop of social and economic inequities. The work is an important commentary on modern day emerging adulthood and notions of identity, agency, stability, relationships, hope, resilience, and independence."

--Jeff Karabanow, Professor and Associate Director, School of Social Work, Dalhousie University