F 24 SOC 202 Lecture #3 Moral Panic, Youth Culture, Deviance and Fun

What is youth culture as discussed in SOC 202 Lecture #3?

Youth culture refers to the dynamic, ever-changing cultural landscape shaped by youth, identity, and popular culture.

What are the two theoretical perspectives used to examine youth culture?

Structural Functionalism (SFT) and Social Conflict Theory (SCT).

What does the SFT perspective identify as the 'Youth Problem'?

Arguments through which youth culture itself emerges.

What is meant by 'Wayward Youth' in the sociology of youth culture?

Youth lacking a strong family and social foundation.

According to the theory of social constructionism, what determines deviance?

Behaviors or conditions are labeled deviant based on societal definitions rather than being inherently deviant.

How does Control Theory describe the systems that prevent deviance?

It identifies inner controls (moral convictions) and outer controls (influences from society) that help prevent deviant behaviors.

What role do sanctions play in social control?

Sanctions are formal and informal means of enforcing norms within society.

What significant societal changes influenced the emergence of youth culture in the 20th century?

Industrial Revolution and the rise of jazz music, which led to a distinct teenage demographic.

According to McRobbie, what is youth a site of?

Cultural innovation.

What is a 'cultural field' as defined in the lecture?

A structured system of social positions within a culture where power relations, socialization, and symbolic interaction occur.

Define 'Habitus' as per Pierre Bourdieu's theory.

A set of learned characteristics and modes of understanding that govern one’s practices within a cultural field.

How does Dick Hebdige describe youth's role in culture?

Youth reflect a symbolic challenge to dominant culture and mainstream norms.

What did Stan Cohen study in his work on moral panic?

He studied the violent clashes between two youth subcultures: mods and rockers.

What is the process of 'moral panic'?

A sensationalist reaction to perceived threats, often out of proportion to the actual issues.

What are the three stages of moral panic according to Cohen?

Exaggeration, Prediction, and Symbolization.

In the context of youth culture, what does the term 'folk devils' refer to?

Groups defined as a threat to societal values, often targeted by media narratives.

What is the significance of media in the construction of folk devils?

The media creates narratives that highlight deviance and portray specific groups as villains.

What was one major film released in 1995 that depicted youth deviance?

Larry Clark’s 'Kids,' which candidly addressed teenage sexuality.

How does deviance threaten social order, as discussed in the lecture?

Deviance undermines predictability, which is foundational to social life.

What is the relationship between youth culture and adult institutions as described?

Adult institutions nurture and reinforce youth culture, integrating it into mainstream society.