Youth Culture

Do You Agree that it is a problem and that “the consumerism story” in leaving youth fragmented, isolated and consumer driven?


The 60’s and 70’s saw the rise of youth culture. Youth culture can be seen as a particular pattern of beliefs, values, symbols and activities that a group of young people are seen to share. With being a youth leader, I see this every week. I hear discussions about the latest technological gadgets and what is the “new in thing” This frustrates me because it is causing kids to become someone they are not. Fragmented, Isolated and consumer driven are almost extremely accurate terms to describe the youth and the new generations coming up. Kids who are becoming fragmented are also becoming more and more independent in both, society and in their own ways of living. This causes issues starting with the parents. I have seen it multiple times, parents become confused and do not know what and how to react to the attitudes of youth today. Parents were different from todays youth.
Also, now increasingly more youth are forced to get into the working environment a lot sooner. This also adds more pressure on the consumer youth, by adding stress to find jobs, get money, and spend more money on the newest clothing line, newest ipod, newest cell phone, etc. I know from experience when I write these reflections. I grew up in the era of the “independent youth” I got a job at fifteen. My parents made me. They said that I needed to get out of the house and learn how being an adult felts like, so that I wouldn’t be caught off guard. At the time I thought it made sense. I can kinda see their point though. With the most of the worlds population

Being so dependent on money, It causes a ripple effect to the younger generation. Seeing the parents always at work, Mom and Dad so stressed about finances. Whenever I saw my parents struggling with finances, I would always vow that I would get a great job where I would never have to struggle with the same... [continues]

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