Literature Summary
Wild Years? Researching Youth in Different Cultures
Interdisciplinary Social Sciences – Utrecht University
Note:
This summary is written in English. Every literature article has been summarized
using the following points: Important concepts mentioned, conclusions and
statements, and other. Only the required readings for the lectures are listed. The
readings of week 7 are not included due to copyright reasons.
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,Index
Dasen (2000).................................................................................................................3
Ember et al. (2016)........................................................................................................7
Henrich et al. (2010)....................................................................................................10
Arnett Jensen (2015)...................................................................................................12
Fox (2014)...................................................................................................................14
Dwairy & Menshar (2016)............................................................................................15
Keller (2018)................................................................................................................17
Smit (2017)..................................................................................................................19
Hruschka et al. (2018).................................................................................................21
Tareke et al. (2023)......................................................................................................22
Jordans et al. (2021)....................................................................................................23
Bibliography.................................................................................................................24
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, Dasen (2000)
Title: Rapid Social Change and the Turmoil of Adolescence: A Cross-Cultural
Perspective
Important concepts mentioned
Mead/Freeman controversy Mead wrote a book ‘Coming of Age in Samoa’ where
she argued that Samoan adolescents were free of
turmoil typical in Western societies, suggesting that
cultural factors shape behavior more than biology. In
1983 Freeman published a critique, claiming that
Mead had been misled by her Samoan informants.
Freeman argued that Samoan society was more
sexually restrictive and that Mead’s research was
methodologically incorrect. Biology was assumed to
play a larger role. This sparked the debate about the
accuracy of ethnography, cultural vs. biological
factors and reliability. The debate remains a key
topic in research.
Hologeistic method (HRAF) studies comparing ethnographic data over a large
number of societies, often using the worldwide data-
base of the Human Relations Area Files (HRAF).
Storm and stress refers to a developmental phase characterized by
increased emotional volatility, heightened conflict
with authority figures, and greater risk-taking
behavior, often seen as a normal part of the
transition from childhood to adulthood.
Westernization refers to the process by which non-Western
societies adopt Western values, behaviors, and
norms. This can include changes in fashion,
technology use, educational practices, and attitudes
towards individuality, independence, and
relationships, often leading to shifts in traditional
cultural practices and identity among adolescents.
Generation gap refers to the differences in values, beliefs, and
attitudes between parents and their teenage
children. This gap often leads to misunderstandings
and conflicts, as adolescents adopt new cultural
trends, technologies, and social norms that may
differ significantly from those of their parents,
reflecting broader societal changes over time.
Moratorium refers to a developmental period where they
temporarily delay making definitive commitments in
areas like identity, career, or relationships.
Social change Refers to the shifts in societal norms, values, and
structures that can intensify the challenges
adolescents face.
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