Adolescents and the Narrative Construction of their Power(lessness)

Abstract

This paper contains the results of research conducted within the framework of a project about youth institutions, sponsored by the Volkswagen Foundation. The case study is based on an analysis of interviews with adolescents and local representatives and on the analysis of local observations. The main subject is marginalized adolescents’ gossip about an outgroup, regarded as a form of separation. The analysis focuses on the categories used by the adolescent outsiders. Finally the interrelationship between the categories used by the adolescents and their everyday lives is demonstrated.