These collected essays represent the author's thinking on issues relating to the "sociology of culture" over a period of years. The present volume considers the many aspects of the lives, and times, of young people in the United Kingdom...John Astley's research as a sociologist has always been applied to real-life situations relating to the consequences of policy and practice - since, as the author explains, "what really matters (surely) is that the aim of policy should be to make a difference to people's lives". This volume of essays is the first of three; the two companion volumes are Culture & Creativity (which includes an essay on the phenomenon of The Beatles) and Professionalism & Practice (which looks at what might be termed 'virtuous actions in a difficult world'.) As a whole, the collection - and those in the series - are selected to reflect different aspects of the overall focus on 'the sociology of culture' - which, whether we realise it or not, affects all of our lives, and shapes the lives of young people ...John Astley is a writer, lecturer, and course designer on topics related to the sociology of culture - and is a frequent contributor to journals, conferences, and radio talks. For some time now, his main focus of attention is to be found (and is reflected) in the titles and contents of these three volumes of essays. He is also very concerned about the inter-relations between theory, practice, experience, and theorising, which, not surprisingly, require him to examine the nature and role of character in regard to 'structuralising' factors like culture. John Astley is currently working on Herbivores and Carnivores, a timely investigation into cultural values in contemporary society.