Youth Culture and Social Change
Youth Culture and Social Change
Introduction
Culture can be defined as the shared values, customs, beliefs, behaviours and knowledge of a particular group or society.[1] Similarly, youth culture refers to the shared values, etc. of individuals in their teenage and young adult years. During the last century, the world around us has changed greatly, and as a result of this, so too has youth culture changed. In this investigation, the ways in which social change has influenced youth culture from the 1960’s to today will be explored and how changes in factors such as the media and technology, male/female roles in relationships, attitudes towards parents and elders and values have played a part in shaping this.
Methodology
While the internet, media and some textbooks were used as means of material, a great deal of information emanated from the four interviews that were conducted: two youth from the 1960’s –Lawern and Davis, and two youths of today –Trezise and Thomas.
Discussion
The effect of the media and technology
The media has had a drastic change since the 1960’s and is perhaps one of the most significant influencers of today’s youth. ‘The controversial issues that are seen in the media!’ said Lawern when asked about one of the main differences from her teenage years and now.[2] ‘There was a lot less of a variety of issues back then. Subjects, such as body image, would have never been exposed to us.’ she said. Davis also agreed saying ‘There was never any differing ideas in the media and as a result people would usually have the same views as you.’[3]
In today’s media, teenagers and young adults are under constant exposure to issues that are very controversial. Gay marriage, war and environment complications are just some of these examples. ‘We are repeatedly bombarded with all these different views from the media’ said Tresize when asked about one of the impacts of the media[4]. ‘People are expected to have their own views on a whole range of different
Introduction
Culture can be defined as the shared values, customs, beliefs, behaviours and knowledge of a particular group or society.[1] Similarly, youth culture refers to the shared values, etc. of individuals in their teenage and young adult years. During the last century, the world around us has changed greatly, and as a result of this, so too has youth culture changed. In this investigation, the ways in which social change has influenced youth culture from the 1960’s to today will be explored and how changes in factors such as the media and technology, male/female roles in relationships, attitudes towards parents and elders and values have played a part in shaping this.
Methodology
While the internet, media and some textbooks were used as means of material, a great deal of information emanated from the four interviews that were conducted: two youth from the 1960’s –Lawern and Davis, and two youths of today –Trezise and Thomas.
Discussion
The effect of the media and technology
The media has had a drastic change since the 1960’s and is perhaps one of the most significant influencers of today’s youth. ‘The controversial issues that are seen in the media!’ said Lawern when asked about one of the main differences from her teenage years and now.[2] ‘There was a lot less of a variety of issues back then. Subjects, such as body image, would have never been exposed to us.’ she said. Davis also agreed saying ‘There was never any differing ideas in the media and as a result people would usually have the same views as you.’[3]
In today’s media, teenagers and young adults are under constant exposure to issues that are very controversial. Gay marriage, war and environment complications are just some of these examples. ‘We are repeatedly bombarded with all these different views from the media’ said Tresize when asked about one of the impacts of the media[4]. ‘People are expected to have their own views on a whole range of different