4: Feminism and Youth Culture

Question 1

who argued that research into subcultures is malestream?

Answer 1

heidensohn (1995)

Question 2

who came up with the label of “invisible girl”?

Answer 2

mcrobbie and garber

Question 3

what does the term “invisible girl” refer to?

Answer 3

describes the role of females in youth culture

Question 4

what is the control theory?

Answer 4

• theory explains how girls are restricted by expectations by parents
• expectations restrict them from going out and having freedom
• girls respond by forming “bedroom culture” which consists of gossiping. magazines and make up
• acts as form of resistance as girls anxieties about teenage sexual interactions led them to form tight knit groups (also known as subcultures)

Question 5

who created the control theory?

Answer 5

mcrobbie

Question 6

give three evaluation points for the control theory.

Answer 6

1. the more parents control girls in this way, the worse they will act when they are allowed freedom. there needs to be a balance between protection and freedom, otherwise girls won’t know how to respond when they do have freedom. (-)
2. “control” has negative connotations; “protect” would be a better word as this is what this theory stems from. control might link to marxist ideas of exploitation of women. links idea of society being patriarchal and ruled by males who have most power compared to little power women have. (-)
3. thornton (1995) research supports idea that females are marginalised. she studied dance music scene in 90s and that females were more likely to go clubbing than males. despite this, females more likely to have less status than men, as they were associated with mainstream pop music. reflects how females are given less status than men in youth culture. (+)

Question 7

what did reddington (2003) suggest?

Answer 7

suggested that girls in subcultures were largely ignored, however there is contradictory photographic evidence that suggest females have always played an active role in subcultures. images from history show clear presence of females in teddy girls, girls mods and girl hippies. eg. vivienne westwood in 1970s punk era

Question 8

which example of female subculture did blackman study?

Answer 8

new wave girls

Question 9

who were the “new wave girls”?

Answer 9

• working class, popular and academically able females
• didn’t conform to traditional expectations of femininity
• shared experience of family break up, explains them going against gender norms and values
• regulated own norms and values
• enjoyed new wave music
• dressed in black trousers, doc marten boots and oversized jumpers
• did not conform to traditional expectations of femininity and successfully resisted them

Question 10

give three evaluation points for blackman’s research.

Answer 10

1. blackman was a male sociologist, therefore might be biased. affects validity of results as he has a male perspective. (-)
2. new wave girls could have changed their behaviour as they knew they were being observed. this affects the validity of the research. (demand characteristics / hawthorne effect). (-)
3. marxists would criticise the research by blackman and the feminist perspective as it is biased. the research doesn’t look at social classes of girls, and only examines the issue of gender. it ignores social inequality of class differences. (-)

Question 10

give three evaluation points for blackman’s research.

Answer 10

1. blackman was a male sociologist, therefore might be biased. affects validity of results as he has a male perspective. (-)
2. new wave girls could have changed their behaviour as they knew they were being observed. this affects the validity of the research. (demand characteristics / hawthorne effect). (-)
3. marxists would criticise the research by blackman and the feminist perspective as it is biased. the research doesn’t look at social classes of girls, and only examines the issue of gender. it ignores social inequality of class differences. (-)

Question 11

what did mcrobbie (1994) argue?

Answer 11

that young women are reclaiming public space and asserting control over sexuality as they experience more economic and social opportunities.

Question 12

which subculture did mcrobbie (1994) use as an example?

Answer 12

A
ragga girls. they used sexually explicit dancing to ridicule male sexism and can be seen as a subculture resisting male oppression. they wear anything as long as it is short, tight and expensive. there is a ragga girls community in S ldn, and they idolise lisa maffia.

Question 13

give three evaluation points of the ragga girls.

Answer 13

1. ragga girls dancing sexually may be a form of attention seeking, and get the wrong kind of attention. they don’t get power but are instead objectified, which makes them lose respect. this goes against their purpose of being valued. (-)
2. girls focus on their looks and dance abilities, meaning they don’t focus on education, which hinders success in the future. should focus attention on brain power rather than sexual power. (-)
3. post modernists would support research on ragga girls in terms of right to free will and ability to support themselves through music success. (+)

Question 14

who are the riot grrrls?

Answer 14

• originated in 90s
• underground feminism punk movement
• combination of feminist consciousness, punk style and politics
• address issues like rape, domestic abuse, sexuality, racism and female empowerment
• subculture includes political action and activism
• seek to end all -isms against females

Question 15

give two evaluation points of the riot grrrls.

Answer 15

1. subculture pushes “girl power” movement and attempts to lessen gender inequality. feminists would support their movement. (+)
2. very female only movement, so not gender neutral or inclusive. can be seen as sexist against men, so can be argued that not promoting gender equality. discriminates against men. (-)