Evaluate the view that the media causes an increase in youth deviance.

This essay will evaluate the view that the media causes an increase in youth deviance, exploring key sociological theories and studies. The essay will consider both the arguments for and against this perspective, including criticisms from various theoretical perspectives.

Introduction

This essay will examine the view that the media causes an increase in youth deviance, a complex issue with no simple answer. It will explore key sociological theories and studies, including the role of labelling theory, moral panic, and deviancy amplification, highlighting the ways in which the media can influence perceptions of youth deviance and potentially contribute to its escalation.

Theories of Media and Deviance

Interactionism and Labelling Theory

Labelling theory, a key concept within interactionism, argues that deviance is not inherent in an act but rather a result of the labelling process. The media plays a significant role in this process by defining certain groups or behaviors as deviant, often through sensationalized reporting and moral panic. This labelling can lead to self-fulfilling prophecies, as individuals labelled as deviant are more likely to internalize this label and engage in deviant behavior.

Moral Panic and Deviancy Amplification

Moral panic studies, such as Cohen's work on Mods and Rockers and Fawbert's research on hoodies, highlight the role of the media in creating exaggerated fear and hostility towards certain groups. Deviancy amplification, a related concept, describes the process by which media coverage escalates deviant behavior. This process, as outlined by Cohen, Young, and Wilkins, involves a series of stages, including:

• An initial act or event
• Media reporting, often sensationalized and exaggerated
• Public concern and moral panic
• Increased social control measures
• Escalation of deviant behavior, often as a reaction to the intensified social control

Goode and Yehuda's Stages in Moral Panic

Goode and Yehuda's study further illustrates the stages of a moral panic:

• Concern: Initial awareness of a threat
• Hostility: Increased fear and hostility towards the perceived threat
• Consensus: Widespread agreement that the threat is real and dangerous
• Action: Public and political action to address the perceived threat
• Disengagement: The threat declines or another threat takes its place

Folk Devils

Folk devils are the groups or individuals targeted in moral panics, often presented as a threat to social order. The media often plays a crucial role in creating and perpetuating these negative stereotypes.

Furedi and the Moral Panic of Risk

Furedi argues that modern society is characterized by a pervasive fear of risk, often amplified by the media. This fear, he suggests, contributes to the escalation of moral panics, as the media often focuses on sensationalized stories of danger and deviance.

Hall and the Neo-Marxist Perspective on Moral Panic

Hall's neo-Marxist analysis of the "mugging" moral panic in the 1970s argues that the media's focus on this issue served to divert attention away from the underlying social and economic problems of inequality and unemployment, ultimately benefitting the ruling class.

Examples of Media Amplification of Youth Deviance

Rave Culture and Ecstasy

The media coverage of rave culture and ecstasy use in the 1990s, particularly events like the Fantazia rave, provides a clear example of deviancy amplification. Sensationalized reporting fueled moral panic, leading to increased social control measures and, arguably, an escalation of drug use among young people.

Impact of Media on Deviance

Alexander's work on The Art of Being Black and The Asian Gang, and Sewell's analysis of gangsta rap, illustrate how the media can influence and shape perceptions of deviance within specific groups. These studies explore the ways in which media representations can contribute to social inequalities and stereotypes, potentially leading to increased deviance within those groups.

Criticisms and Alternative Perspectives

Functionalist and New Right Perspectives

Functionalist and New Right perspectives argue that youth deviance is primarily caused by poor socialization and a breakdown of traditional values. They often blame factors like single-parent families and a decline in moral authority for youth deviance, rather than the media.

Marxist and Neo-Marxist Perspectives

Marxist and neo-Marxist perspectives emphasize the role of capitalism in creating social inequalities and generating deviance. They argue that youth deviance is often a response to the economic and social injustices inherent in capitalist society, rather than a direct consequence of media influence.

Postmodernist Critique of Moral Panics

Postmodernist perspectives, such as those offered by McRobbie and Thornton, argue that the media's saturation in contemporary society has rendered moral panics less effective. They suggest that audiences are increasingly cynical and less likely to be swayed by sensationalized media narratives.

Media as a Catalyst for Resistance and Expression

Some sociologists argue that media coverage of youth deviance can sometimes be a form of resistance against racism and social inequality, as seen in the work of Nightingale and Bourgeois. Others, like Messerschmidt, suggest that some forms of youth deviance, particularly those involving violence, are driven by attempts to assert masculinity and gain social status. These perspectives challenge the simplistic view that media directly causes deviance, highlighting the complex interplay of factors influencing youth behavior.

Conclusion

In conclusion, while the media undoubtedly plays a significant role in shaping perceptions of youth deviance and can contribute to the amplification of deviant behavior, it is not the sole or even the primary cause of youth deviance. The essay has highlighted the importance of considering other sociological factors, such as social inequality, cultural influences, and individual agency, in understanding the complexities of youth deviance. The relationship between media and youth deviance is complex and multifaceted, requiring a nuanced understanding of the interplay of various social forces.