Les spécificités des politiques de l’adolescence. Réflexions à partir d’une revue de littérature

Abstract

The particularities of policies involving adolescents. Thoughts from a literary review. Public policies in France very rarely use the word “ adolescent”. However, this section of the population is targeted by various public policies, mainly those involving young people and families. This article is intended to explore public policies on adolescents that may have particular features compared with youth policies. Based on an overview of studies from various disciplines (sociology, history, education sciences, political science etc.), the view of adolescence conveyed by these public policies is challenged. Which adolescents are targeted and what measures are used ? In youth policies as in family policies, adolescents are not often seen as autonomous individuals, which applies all the more to “ problem adolescents” who are the favoured targets of the measure put in place.