Trying to understand teenagers and their behaviors is a key component to what we do here at CPYU. For this reason I was excited when I found out about a new book titled Making sense of Generation Y: The world view of 15- 25-year-olds (Church House Publishing, 2006, ISBN 13-978-0-7151-4051-2). The title sums up what we hope to allow you as parents, youth workers and educators to do through our resources.

A group of English interdisciplinary researchers got together to take a closer look at the world view of young people from the UK. In doing so, they hoped to discover new ways for youth work and the entire church to go about missions. They should be applauded for using popular culture as a key insight into Gen Y’s way of living and thinking. A large number of 15- to 25-year-olds from across the UK participated in group interviews in which they were probed about different aspects of music, television, film and cultural images.

What the researchers found surprised them, and should surprise you. Though some of their research methods and conclusions warrant further questioning, the authors offer valuable insight into the lives of today’s teens. Readers should use discernment where suggestions fall too close along the lines of questionable practices used by those who fail to think theologically. However, their proposal that we use “prior mission” to weave God’s story into the individual stories of today’s youth so that a highly biblical illiterate society will once again learn the beautiful account laid out in scripture is a recommendation all youth workers should think through seriously.

Making sense of Generation Y challenges many of the presuppositions the church has held about young people and how to effectively minister to them. Right or wrong, youth workers who read this book also will be challenged and forced to reevaluate their ministry efforts.

—Chris Wagner

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For more information on resources to help you understand today's rapidly changing youth culture, contact the Center for Parent/Youth Understanding.

                ©2006, The Center for Parent/Youth Understanding