The 1970s: Portrait of a Generation at the Doorstep

by Raili Nugin

Overview

This book draws a sociological portrait of the age group born in the 1970s in Estonia and discusses its generational features and constructions. This cohort's coming of age coincided with the social and emotional turmoil of the re-independence movement in the late 1980s and with the transformation of society in the 1990s. This was the first cohort to negotiate its transition to adulthood in the new society, starting some new patterns of socialization, while also sharing some practices and experiences with older cohorts. Based on qualitative interviews as well as an analysis of media discourses and statistical data, the book traces the emergence of a new generation that draws its very own lessons from the past and from the social transformations that influenced life courses and careers. The book provides an intriguing discussion of socialization patterns and generation formation against the backdrop of post-socialist transformation. In addition, it provides a fascinating insight into the mind-set and experiences of a generation in the making, already shaping today's society and culture.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9789949329090
Publisher:	University of Tartu Press
Publication date:	12/20/2015
Series:	Politics and Society in the Baltic Sea Region Series , #3
Pages:	192
Product dimensions:	6.30(w) x 9.40(h) x 0.50(d)

Table of Contents

Acknowledgement 7

Foreword 9

Introduction 13

1 Transition, time and generation: discussing key concepts 21

2 Estonia's path to independence: a socio-historical overview of developments 40

3 How do the 1970s look in numbers? 52

4 Narrated life courses 78

5 Constructing a generation 100

6 We are what we remember: memories as a resource for identity 122

7 Public and media discourses 143

Conclusions: Generation on the doorstep or a doorstep for a generation? 164

References 176

Appendix I Charts describing the sample 188

Appendix II A chronology of the Estonian transition: turning points 191