ABSTRACT
This chapter defines well-being as the outcome of the intersection of pride, security, and trust in one's social relations and oneself. It considers factors related to well-being among a particular group of teenagers. The chapter examines the sense of well-being among a group of buraku youth to consider how their experiences stem from the intersection of youth and minority membership. Place and people both matter as each influences the understanding of well-being. Well-being, especially for youth, is integrally connected to one's community; one experiences well-being through home, neighborhood, and school. Trust, risk and well-being are integrally intertwined. The protective cocoon is safe because it reinforces a sense of trust in others, encourages pride in belonging to a group, strengthens the connection to the community and solidifies the well-being of the youth by holding back the encroachment of outside forces.
