The Changing Faces of Race and Gender in the United States takes a close look at how the socio-political context of the late 20th century has affected the fabric of American life for adolescents and how youth, living in a diverse American society, negotiate a sense of self in the context of race, ethnicity, and gender. * Discusses the central issues of successful adolescent development in light of the current social, cultural, and political climate using the racial and ethnic identity stories of different adolescents in the 1990s and early 21st century as case studies * Focuses on the diversity and complexity of our society, including the variety of value systems available to youth and the variety of groups in which they participate * Approaches identity as both a motivational force and a reservoir of resources that enables youth to establish their sense of self as they progress through their lives * Establishes theoretical paradigms and their implications for youth development in contemporary and future conditions, and implications for U.S. policy and practice regarding race, ethnicity, and gender