The origin of youth subcultures Flashcards
the origin of youth culture
the development in youth culture in Britain came from:
1. the increase of economic power of young people
2. increase in diversity in society
3. impact of american culture
4. development and specialization of media
5. the emergence of new music forms
6. the lengthening of the transition period between childhood and adulthood
7. An increase in birth rate
increase of economic power for young people
1950s rapid economic growth of Britain
WW2 lead to a huge amount of reconstruction therefore high demand for workers.
Abrams - teenage consumer:
earnings of young people arose over 50% between 1939 and 1958.
he also researched the spending patterns of young people and found that young people were the age group spending the highest proportion of their income on leasuire, clothes, cosmetics, etc.
these increases in economic power lead to the creation of the conditions for the emerging youth culture to develop. because young people had a large ammount of money to spend (disposable income).
Social Change
WW2 made a change in British society.
it sparked the beginning of the decline in modernity and the move towards late modernity
changes in the economy and an opening up of the educational system coincided with new ideas about equal opportunities.
the result was ideas of superior and inferior social classes and hierarchy began to be challenged.
new forms of cultural expressions emerged.
cinema, art, literature and theater began to be challenged and explore new ideas.
the impact of american culture
WW2 made the that american products made it to britain.
with the changes in the culture and growth of new ones the market was set for american products.
these included things like rock and roll culture and similar products aimed at the “teenage market”.
E.G.
1950s teddy boys and girls borrowed much of their fashion and style from america.
growth and specialization of the media
