Zbog dubokih i stalnih društvenih promjena mijenja se percepcija mladih, njihova odnosa prema religiji i Crkvi. U prvom poglavlju tematizira se novo poimanje mladih i njihova integracija u svijet odraslih. Današnji mladi razlikuju se od svojih prethodnika s obzirom na očekivanja i vrijednosna usmjerenja. U drugom poglavlju analizira se društveni konteksti, utjecaj društvenih promjena na status mladih u društvu. U trećem poglavlju, na temelju socioreligijskih istraživanja, analizira se odnos mladih i religije. Naznačene su temeljne tendencije, tipologija i obilježja drukčijega religioznoga identiteta koji se oblikuje među mladima. U četvrtom poglavlju tematizira se problem porasta broja mladih koji se udaljavaju od Crkve, uzroci distanciranja i slaboga angažiranja u župnoj zajednici. U zadnjem, četvrtom poglavlju naznačena su obilježja pastorala mladih kao odgovor na aktualne probleme s kojima se mladi u Crkvi suočavaju. Due to profound and constant social changes, the perception of young people, their attitudes towards religion and the Church is changing. The first chapter deals with the new understanding of young people and their integration into the world of adults. Young people today differ from their predecessors in terms of expectations and values. The second chapter analyzes social contexts, the impact of social change on the status of young people in society. The third chapter analyzes the relationship between young people and religion based on socio-religious research. There are indications of basic tendencies, typology and characteristics of a different religious identity being formed among young people. The fourth chapter deals with the problem of the growing number of young people moving away from the Church, the causes of distancing, and poor engagement in the parish community. The final chapter outlines the characteristics of youth pastoral care as a response to the current problems facing young people in the Church.