YOUTH CULTURE AND SUBCULTURE
Issue of Youth and culture is a subject that has puzzled many scholars. This is because youths have different perception about life. It is in this stage that there are numerous experiences in life and many youths adopt various ways of living. However, it is notable that, these same youths wish to have a taste and experience every bit of different lifestyles. This comes because of peer pressure and wanting to live a life in order to be popular and noticed. Therefore, in this context we can describe sub culture as a set of value beliefs and practices by a certain people, which are not entirely accepted as the best way of identifying an individual’s activity or position (Met-Nerd: Sub culture theory 2009, para. 1). These values adapted make certain cultures lose their initial value. (Meta-Nerd: Sub culture theory 2009, para.1).
When considering the ideology behind Risk society, individualization and reflexive modernity, the main idea is that the changes in standards of living over time has enhanced many sub cultural class identities. These class divisions are based on lifestyle, diversification and individualization. Thereby the traditional aspect and meaning of social status has filtered away. For example, the occurrence of technology among different societies has brought about individualization. Reviewing and analyzing the book Tomb Raiders and Space Invaders, has perplexed many people. Instead of creating a sense of capturing audience or encouraging identity formation, it enhances unrealistic alien shooting adventures to complex fighting that are hard to explain. (Huq 2006, para. 3) The main argument is that the computer games are exhibiting cultures that are rendered unfit for the society. When young people watch or play this game due to their anxious nature they imagine of practicing them in real life. Unfortunately, those who find the ideas senseless are drifted away as primitive. This book also helps the reader to learn that these computer games are frustrating and competition centered. They end up creating a gap in the existing culture and that adopted by the youth.
When comparing the Risk society, individualization to Albert K. Cohen’s book “A General Theory of Subcultures?” (1955), theory of subcultures reveals that in the postmodern era, the idea of received wisdom is reconsidered. The study of subcultures has been broken down to simpler issues like youth, leisure and music. This shows that the broader analysis of culture and society has been ignored (Meta-Nerd: Sub culture theory 2009, para.4). This ideology shows that, the concept of subculture has looked down upon the general view of culture in a particular society. The study of how youth incorporate culture in their lives is more of lifestyle. Without style, there is no life in such a youth.
The two books do have one thing in common. The nature of culture subjected to the youth is because of identifying with modernity. The traditional ways of living are set aside for the old and primitive people. In addition, there is a clear picture that technology has enhanced itself into the lives of youth. In the United Kingdom, in the 1950s, British teenagers were less well off than the current youths. Currently, youths have managed to incorporate technology and use it to earn a living at young ages. For example, the teenage girls in the British culture of 1950s made their own dresses that they used in case they were to go for photography. In the current generation, the youth do not have time to make such dresses. Money is enough to make everything possible. In addition, the kind of dress matters a lot to determine class. Therefore, such youth with do all it takes to get the fashion that exists.
The contrast between these two books is that, Risk society individualization specializes more on the modern lifestyle of the youths. It also explains how the youth embrace their culture. On the other hand, A General Theory of Subcultures dwells both in the traditional and modern eras. It also holds a clear view in that there are various fields of research that have enriched the contemporary ideologies of sub cultures. However, for various reasons the analyses that question the assumption of traditional thought of how subcultural terms exist have not been clearly identified.
Therefore it is clear that apart from the general view of culture that govern the youth, technology has played a vital role in expanding the sub cultural events in nature of youths in the 21 centaury. In order to control the implications that these technological advancements have on the youth, their innovation should be based on a clear understanding that they contribute towards manipulating the minds of the young people. Some of these computer games and movies that advocate for issues like abortion, killings and alien shows should be reconstructed to portray moral values to the youth. In the end the youth will be in a better position to adopt was it right and apply it at the right place. The issue of fashion, eating style and class division will reduce, as the youth will be in a position to choose what is right.
Reference List
Huq, R 2006, Life with Lara, car-jackers and aliens, viewed 30 October 2012, <http://www.timeshighereducation.co.uk/story.asp?sectioncode=6&storycode=207045>
Meta-Nerd: Sub culture theory, 2009, viewed 30 October 2012, <http://www.benjaminwoo.net/2009/06/02/subculture-theory/>
