Views on Youth Culture - Functionalist

Question 1

What is Eisenstadt’s theory?

Answer 1

Argued the general function of youth cultures is to smooth the transition between childhood and adulthood. He argued that adolescents generally experience status contradictions and powerlessness within the family. Young people therefore lack a stable identity and status and, as a result, they turn to their peers for support.

Question 2

What is Parsons’ theory?

Answer 2

In individualistic cultures such as those in the west, youths need a period of experimentation where they test boundaries.

Question 3

What is Abrams’ theory?

Answer 3

Youth culture was created by the media who targeted youths with disposable income.

Question 4

What is a balanced evaluation of functionalist views?

Answer 4

Functionalists imply that the transition from youth to adulthood is a universal experience, but not all young people experience this transition in the same way. Functionalists neglect social class, gender and ethnic divisions.