"Annotating the literature of the past three decades, both theoretical and empirical, on the Indian adolescents, the present book examines the trends shaping adolescence in the areas of physical and mental well-being, family and peer relations, experience of schooling and their personality development. Issues concerning adolescents' political participation, community involvement, social deprivation, crime, employment and services available are also addressed. The authors project a mixed future for adolescents in India. Rapid technological advancements, increasing materialism with its impact on adolescents' value system and lifestyles are likely to result not only in intergenerational conflicts but will also provide opportunities for global connectivity, new role models with increasing peer influences which may become critical in deciding adolescents' developmental trajectory. The book is geared for scholars and students of social/developmental psychology, education, sociology, human development, psychiatry, as well as policy makers and practitioners."

According to Arnold J. Toynbee, ‘India is a world in itself; it is a society of the same immensity and importance as is our Western society’. In global perspective, the immensity, diversity, and unique importance of Indian society and culture can hardly be underestimated. This reference volume, first published in 1975, encompasses studies that reflect both the unity and diversity of India’s culture and social system.

First published in 1982. Routledge is an imprint of Taylor & Francis, an informa company.