ABSTRACT
In the 1970s and 1980s youth researchers were interested in youth cultures and subcultures, lifestyles and leisure styles, and later in consumerism. Nowadays at the European level, but particularly in Nordic countries, the focus of research is more about participation and individual liberty in post-industrial capitalism. In Finland, especially, the burning political question concerns living conditions in the welfare state. In the European context the word citizenship is relatively new. It has emerged through the evolving legislation and political thinking in the European Union. The concept of citizenship also distinguishes those who ‘belong’ from Outsiders’. Fundamental to the idea of citizenship is autonomy within the state; yet for large numbers of young people this stage has not been reached. Political expression is a core feature of citizenship. Yet a European Commission comparison showed that young people value politics less than their parents do.
