ROBERT MACDONALD is Professor of Sociology at the University of Teesside. He has long-standing research interests in the consequences of social and economic change for individuals, families and communities. He has co-authored and edited several books and reports about young people and youth issues, including Risky Business? Youth and Enterprise Culture (1991), Youth, the 'Underclass' and Social Exclusion (1997), Snakes and Ladders (2000) and Poor Transitions (2004). JANE MARSH studied sociology at Edinburgh University. After working for the Careers Service, she then moved to the University of Teesside to work as the key researcher on the Disconnected Youth? project. She has co-authored several conference papers and journal articles on young people and social exclusion. She has more recently worked for Teesside Probation Service and is now a primary school teacher.

'[This] book is superbly written...' - Social Policy

• Introduction Social Exclusion and the Underclass: Debates and Issues Young People, Transitions and Social Change: Researching Disconnected Youth Missing School: Educational Engagement and Youth Transitions in Poor Neighbourhoods Street Corner Society: Leisure Careers and Social Exclusion Paths to Work? Encounters with Youth Training, New Deal and Further Education Getting Jobs: The Status of Work in Poor Neighbourhoods Becoming and Being a Young Parent: Family Careers in Poor Neighbourhoods Housing Careers and the Significance of Place Journeys to the Margins: Drug and Criminal Careers Disconnected Youth? Conclusions Bibliography Index