Representation of youths

To help with our teaser trailer, I decided to research into youth culture and how they are represented. British youth culture has changed dramatically over the past 50 years due to the strong influence of technology and the demonization of youths in the media. 

The wariness of youth culture made it easy for the media to demonise youth in the 50's, shown in the creation of films such as "Blackboard Jungle", "Rebel Without A Cause" and "Teenage Bad Girl". These are some of the oldest examples of demonization of youth by the media. During the 2000s, hoodies had gained a negative image and was associated with trouble making teens and anti-social behaviour. Due to the increase in gang violence crimes, hoodies became nationally feared and there were many protests in favour to have hoodies banned. Chav refers to an anti-social subculture. Chav is an informal British derogatory meaning a young lower-class person who displays brash and loutish behaviour and wears real or imitation designer clothes.

Teenagers are often represented in the media as being rebellious, disrespectful, lazy and being associated with drugs and alcohol.

Representation of teenage boys

Teenage boys are usually presented as violent, irresponsible and having little respect for authority. Some teenage males have modelled their behaviour on representations these films promote, leading to the rise of gang culture, in particular, middle and lower class areas.

Hoodies have become a symbol of this representation and the wearing of them and constant reinforcement of the representation by the media has created a climate of fear surrounding one item of clothing.

Representation of teenage girls

Another representation is the sexualisation of teenage girls; ie. "Angus, thongs and perfect snogging". Girls are still portrayed as sex/boy obsessed and concerned with their appearance. Girls are bombarded with images of how they should look by the media, causing their perceptions of beauty to be altered. As a result, the distortion of reality causes insecurities and low self esteem as girls feel as if they don't look like the models in magazines

Examples

Breakfast Club(1985)

• Their dress sense is much more covered up and dull
• Youths didn't do many bad things as the consequence would be a weak punishment (detention)

Kidulthood (2006)

• Teenagers are much more free
• Their dress sense has changed; much more revealing with trackies and short clothing
• Youths are much more rebellious and the punishment is much more severe (jail)

Mean Girls (2004)

• Based on a group of girls
• Lots of different hierarchy/segregated
• Much more deceitful