ABSTRACT
In order to understand the urban experience of young people, this chapter examines the societal context of these interactions. Adults assume that adolescents will be causing trouble soon even if they are not at the moment. These assumptions contribute to individuals' reactions such as a merchant asking a group of teens to move on, to more comprehensive public reactions such as public policies and to design decisions that limit adolescents' use of public space. Places where adolescents spend their leisure time are often public places, and these are the settings where they are subjected to scrutiny from adults or deliberately excluded. An important task of adolescence is to develop satisfying social relationships. Young people need places and opportunities to get together with their friends and to make new friends. Through the interactions with these peers, adolescents begin to acquire social competence, build their self-esteem and develop their self-identity.
