This book analyzes the social changes caused by the modernization processes of the post-industrial society, and their meaning for the period of youth. Individualization, as an ambivalent social process, enables an individual to get rid of the traditional ties and, on the other hand, makes possible the development of new opportunities. This at the same time brings about new burdens and forms of dependence for an individual.

Within this social framework the concepts of social pedagogy/social work with youth are problematized, for the changes of the youth period greatly influence also the current theory and practice of social work. Today youth can namely no longer rely on the given status transitions, since already in the youth period the young people increasingly have to start solving certain development tasks and social problems.