jeunesse

Jeunesse is the French noun meaning youth. It refers to both the period of life between childhood and adulthood and to young people as a social group. The term derives from Old French jaunesse or joenesce, ultimately from Latin iuventus, meaning youth.

In sociology and demography, la jeunesse denotes the cohort of young people and the range of conditions associated with adolescence and early adulthood. The exact age span varies by country and organization. Common policy definitions place youth roughly between the mid-teens and the late twenties or early thirties, with examples such as 15–29 or 15–24 in different contexts.

In policy and public discourse, la jeunesse is a focus of education, labor markets, housing, health, and civic participation. It encompasses issues related to transitions to independence, social mobility, and risks such as unemployment, mental health, and social exclusion. The term also appears in cultural and academic contexts to describe youth culture, artistic production, and movements associated with younger generations.

See also: Youth, Adolescence, Youth culture.