Bibby, R. & Posterski, D.C. (1992). Teen trends: A nation in motion. Toronto: Stoddard Publishing.

OVERVIEW

Teen Trends insightfully studies Canada’s dynamic youth culture. The book, a follow-up to a 1984 study of Canadian youth, offers the results of a nationwide survey of nearly 4000 young people. Comparing the two studies, changing patterns and emerging new trends are highlighted. Evident in the book is that Canada is "a nation in motion", reflected by the ever-changing youth culture. Adults should note the transitions among teens and consider the implications of these shifts on society.

Throughout Teen Trends, adults are challenged to dismiss any notions they may have of teens as being "just kids"—unworthy of serious consideration. (p. 2) From the introduction to the concluding chapter, Bibby and Posterski are clear advocates of youth and their status in society. They suggest that relationships between teens and adults, can be enhanced through cooperation. The book not only reports findings on young people, but also provides practical suggestions for all adults to use for enhancing their interactions with youth. (p. 5) Thus this book stretches beyond being informative; it motivates and stimulates response to the needs, values, and concerns of youth.

The book is divided into two parts. Part I, written by Bibby, gives readers a clear look at the data and provides supplemental statistical information. Bibby’s discussion helps to broaden one’s understanding of youth, especially when their values are compared to those of adults. (pp.28-30) Bibby presents the findings of their recent research, showing significant changes and offering explanations about why these changes occurred. Chapter one reviews five traditional institutions of Canadian youth (relationships, values, marriage, sexuality, and religion) and points out variations in these patterns from previous findings. The melding of earlier insights on youth with current data is helpful, especially for those familiar with the authors’ previous work.

Chapter two presents five emerging patterns: information, problems, choices, just society, and expectations. This chapter clarifies teen thought and behavior. However, in one section, the author appears to belittle the pressures and concerns that youth today bear. Bibby asserts that "the number of experts available" to assist teens with their struggles "has grown exponentially in recent decades" and "collectively we have greater financial resources than previous generations to help our young people" (p. 95). Yet, the number of teens in society has grown over the years. Also, if all of the resources Bibby mentions are readily available, why do so many teen problems continue? Bibby misses the possibility that many adults largely ignore youth and their problems or fail to meaningfully and effectively connect with them.

Chapter 3 highlights two categories of people that differ from the national trends—Quebec youth and young women. Quebec’s uniqueness is apparent in the province’s youth identified by Bibby as Quebecers, "flexible approach to life, their sense of community, and their intense nationalism" (p. 116). Noting differences between Quebec teens and teens from other parts of Canada offers youth leaders crisper insights into the youth as well as the culture. This examination helps youth leaders understand the distinct culture within Quebec.

In chapter 4, Bibby reviews what the trends say about the quality of life in Canada. He neatly divides the chapter into two sections: "What we are doing right" and "What we are doing wrong." Most Canadian young people have a healthy self-esteem, are happy, know the importance of good relationships, are positive about their country, and have gained a global perspective on life. In his discussion on self-esteem, the author rightly mentions that although the majority of young people in Canada have a healthy view of themselves, many do have serious self-image difficulties. Twice as many girls than boys exhibit signs of low self-image, and there are racial differences in self-image levels. Under "what we are doing wrong," Bibby reports from the findings of the surveys that there are four, what he calls, "cultural contradictions," ideas that thwart many teen goals teens. This section highlights how various societal forces create current and future conflict for teens: the importance of relationships versus the growing emphasis on the importance of individualism, an endless number of choices but no real tools for how to choose, and a call for justice—but without compassion. These conflicting realisms indicate the strained relations existing between adults and teens and affirm the hypothesis that certain movements within society powerfully inhibit the nurture and development of our youth.

Unfortunately, Bibby does not think that a "crisis" with our teens exists today. (p. 163) He believes "it is neither true to the data, nor helpful in practice" to make a declaration of " ‘crisis’ involving teenagers today" (p. 163). While the results of the questionnaires from nearly 4000 teens reveal "many good findings about young people," they also reveal, as Bibby has done in this chapter, numerous areas of concern. Also, the survey was distributed only to teens in high school, not to dropouts. The authors maintain that from their survey they received a "highly comprehensive snapshot of the latest ‘emerging generation’ as it passes through high school" (p. 321). However, a sampling of more marginal teens might have negatively skewed the results, adding to the already dismal picture of youth in Canada. It should also be noted that many of the needs of youth are universal, but there are also needs which are peculiar to specific youth sub-cultures. In Canada, there are countless identifiable groups of youth. Nonetheless, the results of the research provide informative insights on the thoughts, feelings, and concerns of Canadian high school teens.

In Part II of Teen Trends, Posterski outlines practical ways that teen-adult relationships can be strengthened in order to "improve the quality of living for all Canadians" (p. 196). Specifically, Posterski provides helpful directives for parents, educators, religious leaders, media personnel, and other adults who interact with teens. These enthusiastic propositions encourage serious consideration and eventual adoption. The presentation does not chastise adults for ignoring our youth.

Teen Trends is useful for youth leaders wanting to gain an appreciation for how today’s teens are thinking, feeling, and acting. The book helps youth leaders understand how to effectively connect with young people and become competent advocates for them in predominantly-adult arenas such as school, church, and family. This book can guide discussions between parents, teachers, youth leadership team members, employers of teens, media personnel, church leaders, and other adults who are involved with teens. It is important for adults to recognize the dominance of friendship in youth culture; teens’ drive for personal freedom; their keen interest in the supernatural; their need for clear direction; their need for space to experience both success and failure; and how youth mirror adults in our society.

Lastly, Teen Trends would be very helpful for working with an adult youth leadership team that is determining a philosophy, establishing a vision, and setting goals. The urge to revert to former, outdated, and ineffective strategies for reaching youth would quickly dissipate by acquiring a clear understanding of the authors’ research and by following their wise counsel.

Gregory K. Fryer cCYS