youth culture
Definition
Noun: A youth culture is a distinct set of norms, values, practices, and styles shared by and characteristic of young adults within a society. It often functions as a generational subculture, differentiating itself from the mainstream culture of older adults.
Usage
The term is used to describe the collective social phenomena, trends, and identities associated with a particular generation of young people. - It is typically analyzed as a singular, collective concept (e.g., the youth culture). - It can be modified to specify a time, place, or characteristic (e.g., 1960s youth culture, global youth culture, rebellious youth culture).
Examples
- Sociologists study how youth culture influences music, fashion, and language.
- The post-war economic boom led to the rise of a distinctive teen youth culture.
- Social media is a dominant force in shaping contemporary youth culture.
Advanced Usage
- As a sociological unit: The concept is often used to examine generational conflict, identity formation, and social change.
- In historical context: Refers to the specific cultural expressions of young people in a defined era.
Variants and Related Words
- Subculture (n): A cultural group within a larger culture, often having beliefs or interests at variance with those of the larger culture. is often a type of subculture.
- Counterculture (n): A subculture whose values and norms of behavior deviate substantially from those of mainstream society. Some youth cultures develop into countercultures.
- Generational culture (n): A broader term for the shared cultural experience of a generation, not limited solely to its youth.
Synonyms
- Teen culture
- Adolescent subculture
- Generational youth movement
Related Phrases and Concepts
- Youth movement: Often implies a more politically or socially active dimension within a youth culture.
- Peer culture: The shared culture of a peer group, which is a core component of a broader youth culture.
Noun
-
young adults (a generational unit) considered as a cultural class or subculture
