Youth essay
Youth essay
Over the course of history in Britain, youth culture has changed massively. This can be seen in many positive and negative ways, however when we look at films and media from the 1930's onto the present day we can see how the portrayal of youths has changed. To support my argument on how youths image has changed throughout film history I am going to use the theories of: Dick Hebdige (1988) "youth as fun" and "youth as trouble maker", Bill Osgerby (1998) “We do not have to search too hard to find negative representations of youth in postwar Britain. Crime, violence and sexual licence have been recurring themes in the media’s treatment of youth culture, the degeneracy of the youth depiction as indicative of a steady disintegration of the UK’s social fabric,” and Stanley Hall's theory (1904) “Youth must have excitement and if this is not at hand in the form of moral intellectual enthusiasms it is more prone to be sought in sex or drink,” and “adolescence is inherently a time of storm & stress when ‘all’ young people go through some degree of emotional and behavioural upheaval, before establishing a more stable equilibrium at adulthood."
During the war years of the 1930's in Britain, it can be considered that this was one of the only periods when youth culture was portrayed in a positive light. This is because of the time period and the fact that we were involved in the second World War. Britain was full of propaganda, promoting every aspect of people coming together and helping the country succeed victory. This is where youths were portrayed as strong, crucial parts of the war. If we look at posters from this decade promoting young men to fight with posters stating "together" and "your country needs you." This was positively promoting young people as it would have drawings and pictures of youths, and trying to use propaganda to show how important they were. This would clash with theories such as Dick Hebidge (1904) "youth as trouble maker" as they were seen as such a crucial part within this time period.
The 1940's
The 1950's was a time where youths were portrayed differently, the time period of when youths were portrayed as young strong men changed after the war and instead this was a period when there was moral panic about nuclear war, but there was groups such as teddy boys. This was men dressed in edwardian suits and nice hair but essentially were known for carrying flip knives and for violence. Which the media made headlines about and magnified it. For example headlines referring to teddy boys "teddy boys hold up postmistress with gun" this is portraying youths in a negative light and as thugs. Another point to make is another headline "1 dead, 2 hurt in teenage war" this is again portraying youths in a bad light, as if they go to war and are spending their time threatening and killing people. This would support Bill Osgerby (1998) “We do not have to search too hard to find negative representations of youth in postwar Britain. Crime, violence and sexual licence have been recurring themes in the media’s treatment of youth culture, the degeneracy of the youth depiction as indicative of a steady disintegration of the UK’s social fabric.”
After the 1950's came the 60's where rebellion, sex, violence, and music was a massive part of youth culture. Bands such as: The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, and The Who, were becoming more popular and could be seen as an influence at this time. This could be supported by the hypodermic needle theory, which is that the media if directly influencing the user. However there was groups at this time such as the "mods" and "rockers", at this time these groups caused moral panic. These two rival gangs were full of youths, that would be causing fights which the press magnified. Headlines such as "beach crowds take cover from battling Mods and Rockers" these are just some of the headlines that hit the newspapers at this time. This would support Dick Hebidge (1904) "youth as trouble maker" as its portr aying youths as these violent rebellious groups.
Soon after the 1960's came the 70's where the portrayal of youth culture did not improve. The media soon enough found another group of individuals to magnify and cause moral panic these were referred to as 'punks'. 'Punks' were seen as rebellious, wild, mischievous, individuals causing havoc. Bands such as the Sex Pistols caused headlines with figures such as Sid Vicious, drugs, murder and death mainly hit the news. The Sex Pistols at this time could be seen as a band influencing younger audiences, along with Sid Vicious promoting the use of drugs and violence. This overall would support the hypothermic needle theory, as well as Dick Hebidge's theory (1988) of "youth as trouble maker." There was also many political changes taking place in the 1970's such as miners strikes, and IRA bombings. This caused a political storm at this time and did have an impact on youth culture. There was constant panic of attacks as well as the youths that were in or trying to get work. This supports Bill Osgerby (1998) “We do not have to search too hard to find negative representations of youth in postwar Britain. Crime, violence and sexual licence have been recurring themes in the media’s treatment of youth culture, the degeneracy of the youth depiction as indicative of a steady disintegration of the UK’s social fabric.”
Post-war Britain's portrayal on youths did not improve the 1980's showcased this. Miners strikes in 1984 caused major disruption and rebellion which effected the whole nation, there was many riots and police brutality involved which almost turned the tables on Dick Hebidge's theory (1988) of "youth as trouble maker" where in fact it was the police. However punks and skinheads were on the rise and made headlines as they were magnified by the media once again. Gangs made headlines and Brighton once again was a hotspot for bank holiday fights between punks and skinheads. This supports Bill Osgerby (1998) “We do not have to search too hard to find negative representations of youth in postwar Britain. Crime, violence and sexual licence have been recurring themes in the media’s treatment of youth culture, the degeneracy of the youth depiction as indicative of a steady disintegration of the UK’s social fabric.” Youth culture was also portrayed as drug taking individuals, crack cocaine was a problem as it was cheap and big at the time. This supports Dick Hebidge (1980)
"youth as trouble maker."
1990's rave culture, pills and films such as Transpotting and Human Traffic. This decade was all about rave culture, youths were typically portrayed as ecstasy taking individuals who would be out on the weekend.
During the war years of the 1930's in Britain, it can be considered that this was one of the only periods when youth culture was portrayed in a positive light. This is because of the time period and the fact that we were involved in the second World War. Britain was full of propaganda, promoting every aspect of people coming together and helping the country succeed victory. This is where youths were portrayed as strong, crucial parts of the war. If we look at posters from this decade promoting young men to fight with posters stating "together" and "your country needs you." This was positively promoting young people as it would have drawings and pictures of youths, and trying to use propaganda to show how important they were. This would clash with theories such as Dick Hebidge (1904) "youth as trouble maker" as they were seen as such a crucial part within this time period.
The 1940's
The 1950's was a time where youths were portrayed differently, the time period of when youths were portrayed as young strong men changed after the war and instead this was a period when there was moral panic about nuclear war, but there was groups such as teddy boys. This was men dressed in edwardian suits and nice hair but essentially were known for carrying flip knives and for violence. Which the media made headlines about and magnified it. For example headlines referring to teddy boys "teddy boys hold up postmistress with gun" this is portraying youths in a negative light and as thugs. Another point to make is another headline "1 dead, 2 hurt in teenage war" this is again portraying youths in a bad light, as if they go to war and are spending their time threatening and killing people. This would support Bill Osgerby (1998) “We do not have to search too hard to find negative representations of youth in postwar Britain. Crime, violence and sexual licence have been recurring themes in the media’s treatment of youth culture, the degeneracy of the youth depiction as indicative of a steady disintegration of the UK’s social fabric.”
After the 1950's came the 60's where rebellion, sex, violence, and music was a massive part of youth culture. Bands such as: The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, and The Who, were becoming more popular and could be seen as an influence at this time. This could be supported by the hypodermic needle theory, which is that the media if directly influencing the user. However there was groups at this time such as the "mods" and "rockers", at this time these groups caused moral panic. These two rival gangs were full of youths, that would be causing fights which the press magnified. Headlines such as "beach crowds take cover from battling Mods and Rockers" these are just some of the headlines that hit the newspapers at this time. This would support Dick Hebidge (1904) "youth as trouble maker" as its portr aying youths as these violent rebellious groups. 
Soon after the 1960's came the 70's where the portrayal of youth culture did not improve. The media soon enough found another group of individuals to magnify and cause moral panic these were referred to as 'punks'. 'Punks' were seen as rebellious, wild, mischievous, individuals causing havoc. Bands such as the Sex Pistols caused headlines with figures such as Sid Vicious, drugs, murder and death mainly hit the news. The Sex Pistols at this time could be seen as a band influencing younger audiences, along with Sid Vicious promoting the use of drugs and violence. This overall would support the hypothermic needle theory, as well as Dick Hebidge's theory (1988) of "youth as trouble maker." There was also many political changes taking place in the 1970's such as miners strikes, and IRA bombings. This caused a political storm at this time and did have an impact on youth culture. There was constant panic of attacks as well as the youths that were in or trying to get work. This supports Bill Osgerby (1998) “We do not have to search too hard to find negative representations of youth in postwar Britain. Crime, violence and sexual licence have been recurring themes in the media’s treatment of youth culture, the degeneracy of the youth depiction as indicative of a steady disintegration of the UK’s social fabric.”
Post-war Britain's portrayal on youths did not improve the 1980's showcased this. Miners strikes in 1984 caused major disruption and rebellion which effected the whole nation, there was many riots and police brutality involved which almost turned the tables on Dick Hebidge's theory (1988) of "youth as trouble maker" where in fact it was the police. However punks and skinheads were on the rise and made headlines as they were magnified by the media once again. Gangs made headlines and Brighton once again was a hotspot for bank holiday fights between punks and skinheads. This supports Bill Osgerby (1998) “We do not have to search too hard to find negative representations of youth in postwar Britain. Crime, violence and sexual licence have been recurring themes in the media’s treatment of youth culture, the degeneracy of the youth depiction as indicative of a steady disintegration of the UK’s social fabric.” Youth culture was also portrayed as drug taking individuals, crack cocaine was a problem as it was cheap and big at the time. This supports Dick Hebidge (1980)
1990's rave culture, pills and films such as Transpotting and Human Traffic. This decade was all about rave culture, youths were typically portrayed as ecstasy taking individuals who would be out on the weekend.
I can see why your AS exam grade was so high - you have an excellent personal writing style and you show;d seriously consider journalism! Content wise, make sure all decades have film and newspaper references/quotes to ensure you access A-B overall. Also, obviously you need to complete all decades - see me if you need notes/help for any lessons you may have been away for.
ReplyDelete