Theoretical perspectives of Youth Cultures: Postmodernist

Postmodernist Views on Youth Cultures

Postmodernists hold a complex view of society and argue that it cannot be reduced to simple patterns or structures.
They assert that youth cultures are diverse, fluid, and ever-changing - making them hard to define or categorise.
This perspective also emphasises the role of the media and the consumer culture in influencing and shaping youth subcultures.

Postmodernists believe that identities, including youth subcultural identities, are no longer fixed or determined by factors like class, gender, or ethnicity.
Instead, they are seen as a matter of personal choice and subject to constant change - driven by consumer choices and media influences.
As such, the concept of a unified or homogeneous youth culture is rejected; youth cultures are instead seen as diverse and fragmented.

Critics argue that the postmodernist approach often overlooks the continuing impact of social structures, like socio-economic background, on youth cultures.
It may also underestimate the influence of traditional factors such as family, school, and community on the formation of youth identities.
Furthermore, critics suggest that the postmodernist view overly emphasises the role of consumer choices, ignoring the fact that not all young people have equal access to consumer goods or media influence.