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Youth culture generally refers to the ways young people (adolescents and teenagers) differentiate themselves from the parent culture of their community. Youth culture, as such is recent and is a reaction to the economic, political, and educational changes after World War II in Western civilisation.
History
Prior to World War II, young people in Western culture had little freedom or influence. With the development of post-war affluence and the subsequent baby boom in the USA and Europe, young people began to gain considerable societal influence and, eventually, buying power. Throughout the 1950s, the growing numbers of young people in the US and Europe began to greatly influence music, television, and cinema, spurring the explosion of rock & roll in the late-1950s and a full-blown youth culture in the mid-1960s, partly in the form of sub-cultures of mods, rockers, and hippies.
The tastes of young people began to drive fashion, music, and even literature. Corporations quickly took note and adapted to the shift by devising marketing strategies for the new demographic. For young people, being more open to change and challenge, technology came easier and fashions changed quicker than their adult conterparts. Baby boomers began to enter the work force in the 1970s and thereby wielded even greater influence, helping to innovate the computer revolution, which would be exploited fully by the next generations of young people right behind them.
USA
American youth culture is to some extent a creation of the media and marketing efforts. This leaves many teens feeling relative ambivalence toward "big corporations".
MTV is seen as a youth culture trendsetter. Some teens look to such programs for advice on fashion, attire, and makeup but most do not. Other teens will follow the culture set by other more popular teens in their area or of a favorite Celebrity. Some even go so far as to create their own culture with a group of friends and their friends then it just snowballs into a new culture point.
A common trend is metrosexuality or androgyny but what's big at the present is a Rebel attitude and the following subcultures:
An acceptance for alternative sexualties and gender constructs are also apparent.
There are a number of stereotypes of American youth, relating to dress, music, relationships, and attitudes to life. Many of these stereotypes are pejorative and remain simply unfair stereotypes.
Common Stereotypes
These tend to fluctuate amongst teens and though some may influence their lives, they don't necessarily indicate a need for worry or overbearing.
Cultures & Trends
Marketing to teens and preteens remains elusive. Marketers are unsure how to accurately depict their lifestyles.
It's common for young adults to take interest in subcultures and various lifestyles. Some outphase this during adulthood, but even adults adhere to the nostalgia of their past.
See Also
Youth subcultures
Jugendkultur | Culture de jeunesse | Cultura giovanile | Jeugdcultuur | 若者文化 | 青年文化
"Youth culture"