functionalism view of youth subcultures

Question 1

What does Abram’s say about youth culture ?

Answer 1

• functionalist
• youth culture emerged in the 50’s
• because of economic changes
• says youth culture has spending power so are targeted by businesses
• Young people can get jobs and have a disposable income
• media create and fuel youth culture

Question 2

What does Parson’s say about youth culture ?

Answer 2

• functionalist
• in traditional societies young people go through a ‘rite of passage’
• In modern society, youth culture is a rite of passage
• Parson’s thinks youth culture offers people a way of moving from the security of the family into the difficult adult world
• Learning to become independent
• This creates a smooth path

Question 2

What does Eisenstadt ?

Answer 2

• saw youth culture as a way of brining young people into society
• provides a shared set of norms and values
• allows young people to ‘let off steam’
• Rebellion is accepted as natural
• Rebellion let’s young people test social boundaries

Question 2

What are the functionalist evaluative points ?

Answer 2

• Functionalists generalise youths and suggest that they all fit into one subculture. This is because there are many different subcultures for young people to fit into and these can depend on factors such as class, sexuality, ethnicity.
• Also a lot of the functionalists arguments came from white, middle class men. People have questioned whether this study is therefore ethnocentric as this transition may not happen across all western cultures