Contributors present a portrait of low-income, urban American adolescent girls based on fact rather than stereotype, aiming to fill the gap in research about adolescent girls. They explore girls' attitudes and alternatives in areas such as identity, family and peer relationships, sexuality, health, and career development, often allowing the girls to speak for themselves. For undergraduate and graduate students in psychology, sociology, economics, and women's studies, as well as policymakers. Annotation copyright by Book News, Inc., Portland, OR

The text focuses on the way in which low-cost programmes can help at-risk girls and young women in four difficult circumstances - street living, domestic servitude, sex work and teenage motherhood - improve their lives. It uses the work of the Consortium for Street Children UK as a case study.

Urban Girls, published in 1996, was one of the first volumes to showcase the lives of girls growing up in contexts of urban poverty and sometimes racism and violence. It spoke directly to young women who, often for the first time, were seeing their own stories and those of their friends explained in the materials they were asked to read. The volume has helped to shape the way in which we study girls and understand their development over the past decade. Urban Girls Revisited explores the diversity of urban adolescent girls' development and the sources of support and resilience that help them to build the foundations of strength that they need as they enter adulthood. Urban girls are frequently marginalized by poverty, ethnic discrimination, and stereotypes suggesting that they have deficits compared to their peers. In fact, urban girls do often“grow up fast,” taking on multiple adult roles and responsibilities in contexts of high levels of adversities. Yet a majority of these girls show remarkable strengths in the face of challenges, and their families and communities provide many assets to support their development. This new volume showcases these strengths. Contributors:Amy Alberts, Natasha Alexander, Murray Anderson, Elizabeth Banister, Cecilia Benoit, Kristen Boelcke-Stennes, Ana Mari Cauce, Elise D. Christiansen, Brianna Coffino, Catherine L. Costigan, Karin Coyle, Anita Davis, Jill Denner, Sumru Erkut, Kenyaatta Etchison, Michelle Fine, Yulika Forman, Emily Genao, Mikael Jansson, Chalene Lechuga, Stacey J. Lee, Richard M. Lerner, Nancy Lopez, Ann S. Masten, Jennifer McCormick, Jennifer Pastor, Erin Phelps, Leslie Prescott, Jean E. Rhodes, Ritch C. Savin-Williams, Anne Shaffer, Renee Spencer, Pamela R. Smith, Carl S. Taylor, Jill McLean Taylor, Virgil A. Taylor, Maria Elena Torre, Allison J. Tracy, Carmen N. Veloria, Martina C. Verba, and Janie Victoria Ward.

"Sexual harassment, sexual assault, dating violence, and even gang rape are not uncommon experiences for many African American girls living in poor urban neighborhoods. In Getting Played, Jody Miller presents a compelling picture of how inextricably linked such violence is to their daily lives. Drawing from richly textured interviews with adolescent girls and boys, Miller brings a keen eye to how urban neglect and gender inequality coalesce to structure girls' risks for gendered violence. Her analysis shows how young women struggle to navigate this dangerous terrain despite vastly inadequate social and institutional support."--Back cover.

There s an exclusive lifestyle in America where your body, your game and good looks, all get you paid. These girls become rich girls and are down for whatever it takes to stay on top. ... Are you a Potential Rich Girl? Meet Jewell, a five foot nine diva, who was born with a silver spoon in her mouth and an American Express card in her hand. Sadly, when her bank account turns cold, Jewell resorts to a dangerous, ridiculous scam only to maintain her rich girl status. Meet Nadia, the youngest and least paid of her crew. She spends money like crazy to distract herself from the painful reality of being broke. By hook or crook, she sells her soul to the highest bidder only to keep what little paper she has. Meet Tori, the hustling diva of the west. Vegas hadn't seen a devilish by any means necessary chick until she showed up in town ready to show off her manipulative skills. Taking the city by storm, she spends her time hustling dope dealers, high-rollers, and any man with a thick wallet. Together, they take the streets of Vegas by storm. Between chasing money, scamming men, and hustling the system, they vow to stay on top. The girls get desperate when chaos strikes and come up with a corrupt scheme to certify them as rich girls for life.

This book is an ethnographic study of Carribean youth in New York City to help explain how and why schools and cities are failing boys of color.

Desire Jones is a young, hot-to-trot teen who lives life on the edge. Abandoned by her mother, she yearns for love and attention. Her uncle shelters her, but life is impossible to bear with his abusive wife. To make things worse, she gets involved with Malik, who shatters her hope and trust by leaving her pregnant and infected with HIV. So hardened, she decides to do the unspeakable, purposely infecting people with her disease. Of course, no one knows of her intent, not even her best friend, Jennifer, who unwittingly helps Desire find her victims. Will Desire realize the error of her ways before it's too late? Tia Hines delivers a powerful message in this cautionary tale full of action and drama.