youths v youth

[Stu Kelly]

Is there a guideline for when to choose “youths” over “youth” in its plural sense? I’m seeing “youth” used to the exclusion of “youths.” Isn’t it more appropriate to use “youths” when it refers to an identified number of young people? (The program trained 18 youths.) Shouldn’t you restrict the plural “youth” to a more general sense of a cohort? (The program provided youth with educational opportunities.)

Thanks for any insight.

[Neil Holdway]

I remain a purist on this subject: "Youths" to mean more than one young person, "youth" to mean being young. There's the fountain of youth, and the fountain full of youths.

[JerseyJoe]

I agree with Neil youths is more than one young person.

A humorous aside on the subject -- http://youtube.com/watch?v=J1V-4boT_ts