functionalist views

parsons

social roles associated with different age groups are vital for smooth functioning of society

wide gulf between adulthood and childhood so needs to be a transition stage

youth culture is solving the problems of transition, the problems are that young people have lower levels of income and status

youth are fairly allocated this role based on their limited skills and experience within the meritocracy

eistenstadt

development of personal identity, psychological autonomy and self regulation is the main feature of youth

having a rebellious style and behaviour helps youths to find their own sense of identity

sees groups such as YMCA and scouts as useful for supervising this risk taking and helping to avoid deviancy

stable adults had the space to form their own identity when they were younger

durkheim

anomie - breakdown of norms and values

breakdown in social control and can be used in two senses, breakdown of social control and can be used in two senses

anomie can be seen when a country experiences a revolution or civil war

anomie can be seen in a personal sense, individuals may be driven to suicide due to a sense of anomie in their personal life

anomie is associated with irritation, self disgust and norm less ness

decker and van winkle

reasons for joining gangs consists of pulls and pushes

pills are about gaining status, excitement and money making opportunities for working class youths

the pushes may come from social economic and cultural disadvantages