Lesson 5 - Postmodernism Flashcards
Postmodernist view on YC formation
• Youth styles fluid + changeable
-no longer based on factors such as class, ethnicity, gender
• Youth pick and choose elements of person
-no identifiable ‘YsubC’
• Youth is global
- exposure to other ideas/cultures broadens horizons
- can adapt/develop cultural forms into different ways of behaving/looking
• Youth is individual
- do not see identity as resting on collective
- work on own individual sense of style
-type of tension whereby youth are searching for an identity but want individualisation of choice
Postmodernist ideas of youth Evaluation
•(+) Cashmore(1997) supports concept of youth hybridity
- gangsta rap began in 60s Jamaica
- popular in Black neighbourhoods in NY by 70s
- promoted worldwide by 80s
• (+) Supporting evidence of Postmodernist explanation of YsubC
- CCCS argue ‘absence’ of ‘spectacular subcultures’
- this argument indicates postmodernism is correct
- subC not used as identity in terms of age, class, gender
- Youth choose YsubC based on friendship groups rather than other factors
• (-) Examples of identifiable sub cultural groups in society exist
- Eg goths and emos
- shared styles + musical tastes fit description of ‘YsubC’
- ‘fluidity’ of youth identity not accurate concept to describe all youth
• (-) Parsons/Eisenstadt argue YC exists
- help youth transition to adulthood
- YsubC help bind youth to society
Supermarket of style
-Polhemus(1997)
• Youths can choose from diff fashions, music taste, identities
-like supermarket shoppers choose foods
- Diff styles fused together
- Youth pick choose diff clothing
- youth style more crucial feature than what youths believe in
- more important than shared structural positions
- Marxists+Functionalists state this
• Appearance = identity
- world is fragmented
- looks signal who we are
• Brands
- lifestyle statements
- identity statements
- signal values + beliefs
- Eg Dior/expensive brands signal status + displays of consumption “I’m wealthy”
Evaluation of Supermarket of style
-Polhemus(1997)
• (+) Evidence supports hybridised YC
- elements of global culture featured in media
- adapted to local values
• (-) Easy to identify diff genders, ethnicities, social classes through styles
-supermarket of style has NOT led to fusion across social divisions
-Eg skinheads tend to be male and WC
• (-) Cooley suggests youth label based on appearance
-lead to negative stereotyping
-Appearance = identity means self fulfilling prophecy
Neo tribes
-Maffesoli(1998)
• YsubC replaced by fluid open movements called neo-tribes
• Youth behaviour dynamic, loosely bound, constantly changing
-tribal behaviour
• Eg YsubC surround totems
-clothing, music. Punks, goths
• Term used describe ‘groupings’
- share commitment to communal ethic of warmth + friendship
- Marxists Functionalists agree priority over collective purpose
• Links to hybridised world kids idea, Luke(2000)
-Youth with globalised sense of youth connected by
- Physical
- styles identities common to loosely connected group
- reinforced by personal face to face contact and interaction
- Virtually
- social networks messaging helps create contacts online
- Youth groups never in same physical space
Neo Tribes Evaluation
• (+) Manchester Institute of Popular Culture (MIPC) argue ‘clubbing culture’ of 80s/90s supports postmodernist view
- Sharing collective dance experience regardless of class, gender, ethnicity
- club cultures associated w/ relatively affluent youths that worked during week, raved during weekends
- MIPC depicts youth styles not related to class, gender, ethnicity
- Marxists and Functionalists state this
• (+) Bennett(1999) investigated clubs in Newcastle
- no evidence of YsubC
- loose fluid short term groupings
- based on fashion, lifestyle
- no shared values
- not belonging to definable group
• (-) Based on virtual social networks (Internet)
-online abuse, bullying stalking problems with YsubC
- loose grouping -> more fragmented + less close knit
- YsubC becomes dysfunctional
- members not feel belonging
