In a rapidly changing world, children have more of a voice than ever before. In The New Power of Children and Young People, David Cohen explores how this has happened, what the consequences might be and how we can best engage with our young people. David Cohen considers the social, political and psychological issues involved in children and young people’s influence, and how it impacts the balance of power between children and parents and other adults in their lives. It examines crucial topics including the role of high-profile young people such as Malala Yousafzai and Greta Thunberg; their knowledge of and anxieties around global issues such as climate change; children’s relationships with technology and social media; their changing relationships with parents and guardians; how children develop a sense of justice; sex and relationships; how children are depicted in TV and film; young people’s experience of education; and shines a light on their growing political confidence and engagement. Young people should be interested as well as parents, teachers, social workers, politicians and other key professionals involved in children and young people’s lives. This thought-provoking book offers insight to help us understand young people’s lives.

デイヴィッド・コーエンの本作は、現代における「子供の地位」の地殻変動を鋭く描いた意欲作です。かつて保護の対象でしかなかった若者たちが、テクノロジーを武器に社会の最前線に立ち、大人と対等な発言力を持ち始めた現状を心理学的視点から解剖しています。単なる社会評論を超え、変革期にある人間関係の在り方を問う深い洞察に満ちています。 マララやグレタといった象徴を通じ、若者の正義感と不安の源泉に迫る筆致は情熱的です。教育や親子の概念が揺らぐ今、私たちは彼らの声をどう受け止めるべきか。本書は、次世代の強靭な生命力と、彼らが切り拓く新たなパワーバランスの本質を理解するための、希望に満ちた羅針盤となるでしょう。