Representations

of Youth: Key
Theories
 Gramsci Representation of youth
Developed concept of cultural
hegemony  Social class Therefore other social groups/classes
(Middle class) dominate ACCEPT these values and class these as a
normal way of life. This meaning that lower
society by: Their life = Normal,
social classes will always be shown as negative
natural and common sense.
as they are unable to have the same lifestyle
as middle class people.
The role of media
representations in society Effects of these representations
By looking at this theory we  This would effect representations as all
are able to see that the media representations of youth will always be
always still with the hegemony contrasted with middle class youths. Thus
of the higher classes as these are meaning that if the lower class youths are not
seen as more acceptable. Also living up to the standard of the middle class
that they do not take into youths then they will always be looked down
consideration how other people upon within society
live within society
 Hebdige
Studies British youth subcultures
(Late 1970’s)
 Focused on the reality of youth
cultures.
 Subcultures = Youths to express
themselves and to challenge
hegemony (Mostly through style)
The role of media
representations in society
By looking at this theory we are
able to see that the media in society
tends to ignore the good and the
hard working and focuses on the
fun and the trouble. This therefore
makes adults believe that all
Youths behave in this manner.
Representation of youth
Hebdige argues that the representation
of youths is VERY limited  Either shown
as Trouble or fun there is no inbetween.
 Suggest media representation of
youths is NOT REALITY
Effects of these representations
 Therefore this would effect the
representation of youths dramatically. Due to
them either being shown in two different ways
of being trouble or having fun in the media it
suggest that we never get to see the good and
hard working teens of society who just fade
into the background (Being seen by the
media as boring)
 Cohen
Studied media response to mods
and rockers riots (60’s)
Time ‘Folk devils’ emerge in society
 Reflect anxieties at the time
= Causing a moral panic to occur
themselves in a way that adults have not seen
The role of media
representations in society
By looking at this theory we are
able to see that the media places the
blame onto the youths seeing them
as an easy target. This causes the
moral panic cycle to happen in order
to stamp down hard onto anything
that youths try to do that is out of
the norms.
Representation of youth
 The effect of the moral panic is to
reinforce hegemony by the media making it
clear what values society do not accept. This
shows that when youths try to express
before they try stop it by showing it as a
negative aspect
Effects of these representations
 Therefore this would effect the
representation of youths as it shows that they
are not allowed to express themselves within a
different way that society does not see as
acceptable. Therefore this places a more
negative effect on the youths as everything
they do out of the norms of society is seen as
bad.
 Gerbner
Studied effect of television  Perception
of crime.
Found  Watched loads of TV =
Overestimate crime (Mean world
syndrome)
News reports/TV dramas/ films = Lots of
crime = influence perception of world
(CULTIVATION THEORY)
The role of media
representations in society
By looking at this theory we are
able to tell that representation is
closely linked to what we see on the
television. These then cause peoples
perceptions to change on
representations depends on what has
been shown on the television.
Representation of youth
 This shows that youth are always the
victims of being involved within crime
throughout many media platforms. This
therefore would give people the perception
that youths do all the crime thus making
them being represented badly.
Effects of these representations
Therefore this would effect the
representation of youths by automatically
giving them a bad name no matter what
they are like. This is because of all these
programmes indoctrinating the public to
place the blame onto teens automatically
 Acland
Media representations of delinquent Representation of youth
youth = enhances hegemony  Media representations of young people =
Done by ideal of ‘NORMAL’ adult and allows state to control them (EG ASBOs)
youth behaviour = Contrasts with  This is known as ‘Ideology of protection’
 Idea that youths need to be
deviant youth behaviour =
CONSTANTLY watched
Unacceptable = Youth is the time where they learn about
social roles/values  State needs to confirm
these values
The role of media
representations in society Effects of these representations
By looking at this theory we are  This therefore effects the representations as
able to see that adults believe that it the adults see youths as all being reckless and
is necessary to show youths in such a they have to keep enforcing that these actions
disastrous way. This is so they can tell are bad. This is to enforce the hegemony of
youths how to act an how not to act how they should not behave when becoming
so they can enforce middle class adults. This results in more negative media
hegemony. stories = DEVIANT YOUTH
 Giroux
• Media representations youths =
‘Empty category’
• DUE to media = ADULTS (Not
teenagers)
• Meaning it DOES NOT reflect the
reality of teenagers lives
The role of media representations in
society
By looking at this theory we are able to
see that the representation of youth is
moulded together through what adults
believe and think. Thus then would lead to
uprising of stereotypes through the media
and also cause moral panics of youths.
When all of this has just been created
through hegemony and the media raining
down their ideas onto the adults
Representation of youth
 Giroux views show how the youth are
mistreated within the media. Describing them
as an ‘Empty category’ explains that adults do
not really understand what it is like to be a
youth in this generation. Therefore they just
plonk their own ideas into this empty space of
what they believe the representation of youth
it.
Effects of these representations
 Media involving just adults therefore
greatly effects these representations. The
adults do not want their generation to
look bad therefore use teenagers as a
scapegoat to place the blame on.