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 benefits play a big part of consumer economy
• Young people can get jobs and have a disposable income
• media targets the youth as a brand

Question 2

What does Parson’s say about youth culture ?

Answer 2

• functionalist
• in traditional societies young people go through 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

Question 2

What are the functionalist evaluative points ?

Answer 2

• Assume young people take part in this culture but Wyn + White found that they aren’t distinct from their parents
• Marxist think that functionalists ignore the differences between subcultures
• Feminists think that functionalists don’‘t consider gender require issues involved in sub-cultures