Title: Pride in the projects : teens building identities in urban contexts /
Authors: Deutsch, Nancy L.
Publisher: New York University Press,
Year: 2008
Subjects: Poverty Areas; Interpersonal Relations; Adolescent; Social Identification; Identity (Psychology) in adolescence United States Case studies.; Urban youth United States Psychology Case studies.; Youth with social disabilities United States Psychology Case studies.; Interpersonal relations United States Case studies.; After-school programs United States.; United States
Abstract: Based on four years of field work with both the adolescent members and staff of an inner-city youth organization in a large mid-western city, Pride in the Projects examines the construction of identity as it occurs within teens' local contexts, emphasizing the relationships within which identities are formed. Drawing on research in psychology, sociology, education, and race and gender studies, the volume highlights the inadequacies in current identity development theories, expanding our understanding of the lives of urban teens and the ways in which interpersonal connections serve as powerful contexts for self-construction. The book closes with implications for practice, alerting scholars, educators, practitioners, and concerned citizens of the positive developmental possibilities when we pay attention to the voices of the youth.
Contents: "There are birds in the projects": the ecology of adolescent development in urban America -- "I give people a lot of respect": the self in interpersonal relationships -- "I never thought kids would look up to someone like me": Lorenzo's story -- "I can't act ghetto in the ghetto no more": self, society, and social categories -- "I've never seen any dark-skinned girls in videos": Nicole's story -- "I can't lose to no girl, man": the gendered self -- "Manly, take charge, the head man, the king": John's story -- "If I never came here I'd be irresponsible, like a little kid": after-school programs as sites of development and identity construction.