How does Youth Culture differ from mainstream culture
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The concept of "Youth" as a separate culture emerged in the late 1950's/early 1960's. Youth culture was not subject to all societies, and was caused by a product of affluence. Parsons and Bales 1956 noted that the concept "Youth" and the status "teenager" appeared only in advanced industrialised societies. Youth Culture has been subject to discussion ever since.
Culture can be described as the language, beliefs, values and norms, customs, roles, knowledge, and skills, which combine to make up the "way of life" of any society. Youth Culture reflects the above and is associated with being a culture which fixates on fashions and taste associated with youth. This could be items of clothing, accessories such as mobile phones or play stations, or even pop groups such as one of the most successful girl groups, "The Spice Girls" who reinvented the concept of girl Power.
Youth subculture however, conveys a hugely contrasting image. These subcultures have a history, which can be traced back at least to the second half of the sixteenth century, a study carried out by Pearson in 1983. Sociologists regard youth subculture as a distinctive and often rebellious style, which is associated with particular groups of young people who seek to separate themselves out within society...