Functionalist explanations for youth culture

Functionalist do not discuss the differences between youth subcultures they group all youths together and discuss the overall function of youth culture
Youth culture provides a bridge between childhood and adulthood
1. Parsons
  1. Youth culture is a bridge between childhood and adulthood
  2. It is a transitional phase in which they can develop independence
  3. Youth culture has replaced traditional rites of passage
Youth culture provides a forum for frustrations
1. Esienstadt
  1. The transition from ascribed to achieved status is emotionally stressful
  2. Youth culture provides a forum for frustrations
  3. Youth culture is inherently binding as all youths go through the same stresses
Youth culture means a generation gap is emerging
1. Rozak
  1. differences between adults and children/ adolescents in terms of norms and values.
  2. Youths really stand out as different
Evaluation
1. Ignores the differences between spectacular subcultures and the tensions between them
2. Ignores differences between genders, ethnicity and social class backgrounds when looking at youth culture

Resource summary

	Created by Yasmine King over 7 years ago