4 Outline and briefly evaluate the view that not all youths share the same culture.
OCR
A Level
2018
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Not All Youths Share the Same Culture: An Evaluation
Introduction
This essay will critically evaluate the view that not all youths share the same culture. It will consider evidence both for and against this proposition, drawing on sociological perspectives and empirical studies.
Arguments in Support of the View
1. Social Construction of Age Categories
The concept of 'youth' is socially constructed, meaning it varies across cultures and historical periods. For example, Margaret Mead's study of Samoan society revealed the absence of a distinct 'youth' stage, suggesting that the categorization of youth is not universal.
2. The Myth of Youth Culture
Some argue that youth culture is a media creation and does not truly exist. Postmodernists, like Thornton, critique the notion of a unified youth experience, highlighting the influence of media in shaping perceptions of youth. The dichotomy of "little angels" versus "little devils" further illustrates the divisive nature of media representations.
3. Differences among Youth
Youth experiences are shaped by factors like ethnicity, class, and gender, leading to diverse identities and cultures. Shain's research on Asian girls in secondary schools reveals how their identities are negotiated through the formation of girl gangs, illustrating the varied experiences of youth within a single social setting.
4. Youth Subcultures
Instead of a singular youth culture, it's more accurate to speak of youth subcultures. These groups, such as spectacular, pro- and anti-school subcultures, demonstrate the diversity of youth experiences and values.
5. Disappearance of Childhood
Neil Postman's concept of the "disappearance of childhood" suggests that traditional boundaries between childhood and adulthood are becoming increasingly blurred, further challenging the idea of a homogenous youth experience.
6. Feral Children
The existence of feral children, who have been raised without socialization, underscores the importance of social interaction in shaping individual identity and culture. Their experiences demonstrate that the absence of a shared cultural context significantly alters the development of individuals.
Arguments Against the View
1. Shared Cultural Characteristics
Despite differences, there are common cultural characteristics associated with youth, such as rebellion, resistance, a desire for fun and excitement, and a rejection of adult norms.
2. Universal Transitional Stage
Abrams argues that all young people share a common transitional stage in their lives, marked by the transition from childhood to adulthood. This shared experience provides a basis for commonalities among young people.
3. Functionalist Perspective
Parsons, from a functionalist perspective, views youth as a bridge between childhood and adulthood. This transitional period serves a crucial function in society, fostering the development of skills and values necessary for adult roles.
4. Youth as a Time for Experimentation
Polhemus highlights youth as a time for experimenting with style and identity, suggesting a common desire for self-discovery and expression among young people.
5. Legal Standardization of Youth
Legal guidelines, such as the voting age of 18, create a common status and rights for young people, contributing to a sense of shared identity and experience.
6. Rites of Passage
Initiation ceremonies and rites of passage, while they may vary across cultures, often involve a shared experience that fosters a sense of belonging and conformity within a group.
7. Family Influence
Davis argues that most young people are similar to their parents in terms of values and beliefs, suggesting a strong influence of family and social background on youth culture.
Conclusion
The view that not all youths share the same culture is partially valid. While there are clear differences in youth experiences based on factors such as class, ethnicity, and gender, there are also commonalities stemming from shared social experiences, legal frameworks, and the universal transition from childhood to adulthood. Ultimately, the complexity of youth culture requires a nuanced perspective that acknowledges both the diversity and the shared elements of this social category.
Sociology Essay: Outline and Briefly Evaluate the View That Not All Youths Share the Same Culture
The idea of a homogenous youth culture, effortlessly identifiable by its unique style and rebellious attitude, has been a subject of much debate within sociology. While some argue for the existence of a universal youth culture, marked by shared experiences and characteristics, others contend that this notion is overly simplistic and fails to acknowledge the diversity of experiences amongst young people. This essay will explore both sides of this debate, ultimately arguing that while there may be some commonalities, the experiences of youth are too diverse to be encapsulated by a single, unified culture.
Evidence Supporting the View of Diverse Youth Cultures
One of the primary arguments against a homogenous youth culture stems from the socially constructed nature of age categories. Different societies define and experience "youth" in distinct ways. Anthropologist Margaret Mead's work in Samoa, for instance, revealed the absence of a distinct period of adolescence comparable to that experienced in Western societies. This suggests that the very concept of "youth," and consequently "youth culture," is not universal but rather a product of specific cultural contexts.
Furthermore, the notion of a monolithic youth culture is challenged by the significant variations observed within youth populations. Factors such as ethnicity, class, gender, and locality contribute to the formation of diverse youth subcultures, each with its unique set of values, beliefs, and practices. For example, Claire Wallace’s work on youth in Britain identifies a range of distinct subcultures, including ‘rave,’ ‘house,’ and ‘hip-hop,’ each with their own specific styles, tastes, and activities. Similarly, Angela McRobbie's research highlighted the emergence of "bedroom culture" amongst girls, characterized by a focus on private spaces and personal expression.
The media plays a powerful role in shaping perceptions of youth, often presenting a stereotypical and homogenized image of teenage rebellion and angst. This media-driven portrayal of youth culture, as argued by Sarah Thornton, can obscure the reality of diverse youth experiences, reducing them to mere consumer categories.
Evidence Against the View of Diverse Youth Cultures
Despite the evidence supporting the diversity of youth experiences, some argue for the existence of unifying elements that transcend subcultural differences. Proponents of this view point to shared characteristics associated with youth, such as a desire for independence, experimentation with identity, and a sense of rebellion against adult norms. These commonalities, they argue, form the basis of a broader youth culture.
Functionalist sociologist Talcott Parsons argued that youth represents a crucial transitional stage between childhood and adulthood, a period where individuals learn to navigate the complexities of adult roles and responsibilities. This transition, according to Parsons, involves a degree of rebellion and experimentation as young people test boundaries and establish their own identities.
Moreover, legal and institutional structures often impose a degree of uniformity on the experiences of young people. Age limits for voting, driving, and consuming alcohol, for example, create shared milestones and expectations that contribute to a sense of collective identity.
Conclusion
In conclusion, while certain universal experiences and shared characteristics may contribute to a sense of collective identity amongst young people, the assertion that all youths share the same culture is an oversimplification. The significant influence of social, cultural, and economic factors results in a diverse array of youth subcultures, each with its unique set of values, beliefs, and practices. The media's tendency to present a homogenized image of youth further complicates this issue. Ultimately, recognizing the diversity of youth experiences is crucial for understanding the complexities of this life stage.
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Evidence in support of the view:
Responses may include the following:
- Social construction of age categories, including youth, and childhood. Some cultures do not have a stage called 'youth' (Mead – Samoa).
- Youth culture does not exist - it is just a media creation (link with postmodernism / Thornton) little angels vs little devils.
- Differences between different youths - ethnicity, class, gender. E.g. Shain's study of Asian girls developing different identities in a secondary school through girl gangs.
- Youth SUB cultures rather than one youth culture.
- Examples of youth subcultures: spectacular, pro- and anti- school etc.
- Disappearance of childhood – Postman.
- Experiences of feral children.
Evidence against the view:
- Cultural characteristics associated with youth (rebellion, resistance, fun and excitement)
- Abrams - all young people are at the same transitional stage in their lives
- Bridge between childhood and adulthood (Parsons - link to functionalism)
- Polhemus - youth is a time for experimenting with style.
- Legal guidelines that standardise youth (e.g. 18 to vote.)
- Examples of rites of passage that bring some conformity e.g. initiation ceremonies.
- Davis - most youths are similar to their parents