Youth Culture and the Generation Gap

Sound Bite

Has today's overwhelming emphasis on "youth culture" widened the generation gap ' or bridged it? Weighing the competing influences of peers and parents, the authors discuss parent-child relations and how sex, slang, music, cliques, gangs and reference groups play into identity issues.

About the Book

The Youth Culture is certainly dominant n the world, and the United States is its champion. Has this cultural emphasis widened the generation gap, or is it just a natural by-product of the generational differences that exist in all societies? Is the generation gap such a problem as the media makes it out to be?The authors contend that, in fact, most of today's youngsters have a great deal of sympathy for their parents and share their values. But, the youth culture seeks to overcome the identity problem all adolescents face. As an expert in sociology of youth, the author explores this phenomenon and explores the development of a youth culture in the US, and its manifestations in daily life from recreation and music to dress codes and status games. The book is illustrated with case histories taken from the author's private practice.The book compares the competing influences of peers and parents, discusses homeless migrants, hippies, punks and rockers, and considers sex, language, cliques, gangs and reference groups.