The Role & Formation Of Youth Sub/culture Flashcards
How do functionalists see the youth stage?
- Transition stage
- A time of independence
- A way to let off steam and eventually conform.
What functionalists discuss youth?
Parsons, Abrams, and Eisenstadt
How does Parsons describe youth culture?
- Saw it as an important transition stage at a potentially stressful time when an individual must learn to leave the security of the home and become independent.
- This is often through part time jobs and spending more time away, giving them skills and independence.
- It is a ‘rite of passage’ where youth become more independent and responsible.
How did Eisenstadt see youth culture?
- It’s a way if bringing youths into society.
- During the isolated phase there’s a risk of feeling stress and anomie.
- Youth culture provides shared norms and values allowing a sense of belonging and a chance to ‘let off steam’ from tension and stress, find own opinions, and get any frustration ‘out of their system’.
- Period of rebellion is seen as normal and essential.
- A way of testing boundaries and reinforcing acceptable norms and values, thus contributing to social order.
Why does Eisenstadt believe youth culture is necessary?
It’s a way of testing boundaries and to eventually reinforce acceptable norms and values.
How did youth culture emerge according to Abrams?
Youth gaining job opportunities and so had more money in their pockets. They were thus targeted by businesses and the media.
How can functionalism be evaluated?
- Generalised youth culture, ignoring the different subcultural differences.
- Don’t consider social factors which differentiates experiences. (neo-marxists, feminists)
- Most evidence came from white middle class men. Their analysis is ethnocentric.
What do Marxists/neo-Marxists look at?
Spectacular youth subcultures and their reaction to wider society.
What neo Marxist institution collected influential work on youth subcultures?
CCCS
Centre for Contemporary Cultural Studies
What was the Neo-Marxist explanation for forming youth subcultures?
- The economic situation faced by youth. There was high unemployment, inner city decay, racial tension and strikes.
- The CCCS said how youth subculture formation was resistance against the ruling class.
How can you evaluate the Marxist/neo Marxist view?
- They were looking at examples relating to class, so they interpreted them in that way. The fashion itself may have just be having fun.
- Feminists: CCCS ignore girls.
- Middle class also have subcultures but were largely ignored.
- Many aren’t part of spectacular subcultures. They are researching a visible minority.
- Postmodernism: outdated
What are the feminist sociologists that say the role of girls in subcultures has been ignored?
McRobbie and Garber
What did McRobbie and Garber find when looking at research?
- When girls did appear, they were passive girlfriends or reinforcing stereotypes.
- They were often commented by attractiveness
- Researchers were mostly male so it was suggested they developed a rapport with men and felt unable to connect with the women.
What did McRobbie and Garber argue about girls?
They negotiate different spaces to those inhibited by boys. Their friend groups are often ‘close knit.’
How may feminism be criticised?
Postmodernists: gender is less significant as current subcultures have a lack of gender distinctions.
