lesson 5 : postmodernism and youth cultures

Question 1

who came up with the post modernist theory?

Answer 1

bauman (1993)

Question 2

what was bauman’s postmodernism theory?

Answer 2

• no longer a coherent, structured social world so youth has become more diverse
• youth style is fluid and changeable ; no longer based on class, ethnicity or gender
• young people pick and choose what they would like to be as there are no identifiable subcultures, so they “pick and mix”
• youth is global ; exposure to other cultures means youth are open to new ideas and can adapt and develop into different ways of behaving or looking
• youth is connected ; new styles can be connected around the world (via media), they can be shared, adapted and discarded rapidly
• youth is individual ; youth work on individual sense of style and don’t rest identity on being part of a collective
• promotes idea of individuality in finding identity

Question 3

give an example of a subculture that promotes individualism and the collective.

Answer 3

malone (2002) stated hip hop was an example of this. hip hop celebrates ethnic diversity, individualism and collective communities.

Question 4

give four evaluation points for a postmodernist view on youth.

Answer 4

1. cashmore (1997) supports the concept of youth hybridity. gangsta rap was popularised in black neighbourhoods of new york. this gangsta rap was promoted worldwide and adapted to suit different youth cultures. there are many asian and white rappers that fuse together gangsta rap and pop. (+)
2. the CCCS research that spectacular subcultures don’t exist anymore backs the postmodernist view. the absence of spectacular subcultures suggests that subcultures are no longer a source for identity in terms of age, class gender etc. (+)
3. some identifiable subcultures (goths, emos etc.) with shared styles and music tastes do fit the traditional description of “youth subcultures”, which goes against post modernist views. it opposes the “fluidity” idea, so the pm view isn’t entirely accurate. (-)
4. functionalists (parsons / eisenstadt) disagree with pm views and argue that youth culture does still exist. they serve the function of helping young people make the transition into adulthood. youth subcultures help to bind young people into society. (-)

Question 5

what is the “supermarket of style” theory?

Answer 5

polemus (1997).
- developed the “fluidity” idea

• shopping at the supermarket of style means that different styles are fused together
• youth can pick and choose different items of clothing, which suggests that style is a more crucial aspect of subcultures rather than what they believe in
• supermarket of style has been advanced by technology such as the internet which means that other styles are more available to youth
• this results in appearance = identity. how we look is a calling card that signals who we are

Question 6

give three evaluation of polemus’ theory.

Answer 6

1. evidence to support that there is a hybridised youth culture in which youth take elements from global cultures featured in the media. these elements are then adapted to local values. eg. asian music being adapted into pop music. (+)
2. criticism is that it can be argued that we can easily identify different genders, ethnicities and classes by their style. this is indicative that the pick and mix has not led to “fusion”. eg. chavs are identifiable by their clothing and all belong to working class (-)
3. the idea that appearance = identity creates the idea of labelling. the “looking glass self” by cooley might suggest that youth label each other based on appearance, leading to negative stereotyping. others might negatively judge this youth group based on appearance which could be false. this leads to self-fulfilling prophecy, in which group live up to negative label applied. (-)

Question 7

what are neo-tribes?

Answer 7

fluid and open movements of youth

Question 8

what did maffesoli (1998) suggest?

Answer 8

suggested that youth subcultures have now ceased to exist and have been replaced by neo-tribes. youth behaviour is seen as tribal. it is dynamic, loosely bound and constantly changing.

Question 9

what idea is neo tribes link to?

Answer 9

hybridised world kids (luke 2000). this means youngsters with a globalised sense of youth that are connected physically and virtually.

Question 10

give three evaluation points for neo tribes.

Answer 10

1. research by the MIPC argued that clubbing culture supports the pm view. clubbing experience was simply young people sharing a collective dance experience together regardless of class, gender or ethnicity. MIPC work therefore depicts youth style that is no longer related to gender, class, ethnicity etc. (+)
2. bennett (1999) had evidence supporting neo tribes. investigated clubs in newcastle and found no evidence for rigid youth subcultures. instead he found a loose, fluid and relatively short term youth grouping occurring. “neo tribes” based around fashion and lifestyle, but did not feel part of definable group or share values. (+)
3. criticism is that some neo tribes based on social networks. lead to problems like online abuse, bullying, stalking etc. made lead to loosely connected youth group, making more fragmented. leads to subculture becoming dysfunctional and means members do not feel they belong. (-)