To What Extent Joining a Particular Youth Sub-Culture Might Be Viewed as Deviant Behaviour - Coursework Example

Discuss to what Extent Joining a Particular Youth Sub-Culture Might be Viewed as Deviant Behaviour Table of Contents Introduction 3 2. Describing the Influence of Perceptions, Policies and Practices that Alienated, Demonised and Labelled Particular Groups of Young People in Society 4 3. Describe and Evaluate the Role Youth Cultures Can Play in the Lives of Young People in the UK 5 4. Describing and Evaluating ‘Deviant Behaviours’ in the light of Cultural and Criminological Theories 7 5. Evaluating the Impact of Current Government Policies for Work with Young People 9 6. Evaluating the Implications of Youth Participation and Citizenship for Work with Young People 10 7. Conclusion 11 References 12 1. Introduction The cultural identity of the young population has been witnessed to emerge as one of the paramount concerns for the Western and other developed nations. In relation to the continuous development of socio-cultural environment of the global nations, considerable changes can be widely accepted within this particular segment of population due to the greater influence of various types of sub-cultures (Roche & et. al., 2004). In this regard, the influence of deviant culture or behavioural aspects has long been witnessed to cultivate unusual social skills against the useful habits of the youth population. Nevertheless, the social injustice or policies abided by the government can often be recognised to influence this segment of population to involve in severe and extremism based cultural behaviour (Hall & Du Gay, 1996). Therefore, in keeping with the notion of key influencing factors within deviant culture and adequate measures of the regulatory processes, the report justifies a clear understanding regarding whether the perceptions, policies and practices alienated with youths are likely to change their behavioural skills. Correspondingly, the study would highly focus on evaluating the impact of the current governmental laws and policies or their effectiveness while working with young population. Moreover, the discussion also tends to critically evaluate the implication of youth participation or citizenship for work with young people. In this context, it can be stated that the discussion would demonstrate knowledge of different approaches to participation and citizenship for work with young people. 2. Describing the Influence of Perceptions, Policies and Practices that Alienated, Demonised and Labelled Particular Groups of Young People in Society According to the study of Hall and Jefferson (1993), the social and political definition of Youth Culture significantly refers to a transformation of sub-cultures led by the noticeable manifestations of social change during the post-war period in Britain. In relation to their study the term ‘Youth’ generally had been defined as an emergent category, which was one of the striking and perceptible changes and was led by various influencing factors including social perceptions, policies and practices. Despite the fact, ‘Youth’ ascertains the focus for the official reports along with various types of official interventions, legislations and policies. It was indicated as a dimension of social concern which was led by moral guidance of a particular society. In particular, ‘Youth’ played an essential role to construct quasi-explanation and interpretation during the post-war period in the UK (Hall and Jefferson, 1993). With reference to the critical justification of Kehily (2007), it is affirmed that the revolutionary manifestations within the Youth Culture are influenced by a number of factors including social perceptions, legislation policies along with practices. In relation to the critical understanding, the author has significantly attributed that the emergence of social manifestation has significantly empowered this segment of population to involve in various types of disruptive or aberrant behavioural skills that have further led them to commit criminal activities (Kehily, 2007). In this similar notion, Hall & Du Gay, (1996) and Hall & Humphries (1995) have also critically noted that social or public perception has a radical impact towards the manifestation of the young people within a particular society. Contextually, the government legislations and agendas are inevitably designed due to the frequent changes of attitudes and behavioural aspects of the societies (Hall & Du Gay, 1996; Hall & Humphries, 1995). Correspondingly, the studies of the authors have also delineated that the involvement of a lack of alignment between the governmental policies and practices with young people can also be regarded as a key factor for the emergence of ‘Youth’ offences in different societies. In relation to the stated concern, the prior step towards defending this segment of population from various possible conflicts and improving their behavioural aspects can significantly facilitate to improve the cultural behaviour of the “Youths” and prevent them from committing any type of unlawful activities (Hall & Du Gay, 1996; Hall & Humphries, 1995). 3. Describe and Evaluate the Role Youth Cultures Can Play in the Lives of Young People in the UK A significant deficiency of understanding the Youth Culture may often lead to accept and develop a negative portrayal to enhance the wellness and efficacy of the young population. According to the various research studies, it has been widely accepted that a generous minority of the adults often tends to have a little or no contact with the young population. It has resulted in creating various types of negative perception for the youth against the society where they exist (McNeil & et. al., 2012). In relation to the present day context, the continuous involvement of Youth Culture may have a significant role to play in order to develop the social, political and environmental position of a particular community or country. The assertive capability as well as striking behavioural aspects within the Youth Culture can render a major support towards developing the current situation within the United Kingdom. The increasing power of individuality and strong confidence level within the Youth Culture can considerably change the well-being of each society and improve the living standard of the individuals residing in different culturally diversified communities. In addition to the role of Youth Culture, the various forms of literacy including computer skills, media along with enhanced educational background and communication traits can be considered as a strong set of attributes that can provide adequate support to the young generation to evolve their own future (Best & Kellner, n.d.). The striking performance on innovation and continuous refurbishment of individual performance can also be considered to play a major role for a country while seeking to achieve a competitive position. In relation to the recent pace of globalisation, the continuous innovation and striving performance of the youth have been witnessed to play a key role for the UK to increase the efficiency of its economic, political and socio-cultural environment (Clinard & Meier, 2008). The worldwide perception of Youth Culture is replicated by the societies or few political issues, by describing that the greater movement of this culture is based on mythology and demonization that enable youth to build their individual identity. Consequently, the effective utilisation of their mythology could bring revolutionary changes in the political, economic and socio-cultural environment of the UK including the development of young people within the nation. Moreover, strong governance system and considerably greater influence of peers can also be the major aspects affecting the Youth Culture along with playing an essential role for community development. As it is observed that the peer influence and team work within the Youth Culture are amid the most influential factors therefore they can play an essential role to refurbish social environment and reduce various types of insurgencies and disputes (Kenneth & et. al., 2006). Therefore, it can be stated that the positive influence of the Youth Culture can have a major contribution towards strengthening the continuous development of young population in the UK. The higher level of individuality, self-confidence and innovative perception within the Youth Culture can radically enable the young people to increase their productivity skills and ensure considerable contribution towards the economic, social and political refurbishment of the nation. 4. Describing and Evaluating ‘Deviant Behaviours’ in the light of Cultural and Criminological Theories The definition of deviance theory can be considered to involve various notions. According to the study, the concept of deviance behaviour has been defined distinctly in the light of both cultural and criminological contexts. From a cultural perspective, the concept of deviance theory tends to ascertain that traditional values with the prevalence of the cultural standards of lower class community generally coerce population to commit criminal activities. According to this theory, the definition suggests that the inimitable cultural values and beliefs of the people with lower class sub-culture are radically affected due to the social norms and standards of the conventional societies (Halsey & White, 2008). The people who involve with any social movements such as Youth Culture are motivated by the collective criticisms formed by social state of affairs, recruited by confronting each other’s interaction and are focused on the goals that seem practically accessible. The worldwide view of this culture is produced by social norms and political ideologies that shape numerous disputes for the people under the lower-class sub-cultures within a particular society. Subsequently, it can be ascertained that there is a continuous influence of political and social ideologies on the Youth Culture to shape their aberrant behavioural skills along with coercing them to commit different types of criminological acts within the society (Steinberg & et. al., 2006). Alike the concept of deviance behaviour in a cultural perspective, the definition also bears a major implication from criminological perspective. The term ‘criminology’ signifies a scientific approach, which studies various types of criminal activities and investigates a society’s reaction to law discrimination and the discriminator (Siegel, 2000). In relation to the criminological context, the concept of deviance behaviour generally overlaps with criminological aspects as the deviant behaviour of the Youth Culture often involves activities that discriminate social and legal policies. In accordance with an interactionist point of view, the deviance behaviour within the Youth Culture portrays relativistic ideology. It is a constantly shifting perception, which significantly reflects on the social and moral values of a particular society, and influences young people to involve in various types of unlawful acts (Steinberg & et. al., 2006; Siegel, 2000). 5. Evaluating the Impact of Current Government Policies for Work with Young People The governmental policies can be regarded as a set of regulations that prevents the discrimination of young people within workplace. In relation to the current governmental regulations, youth policies have been widely acknowledged and accepted by the organisations while incorporating young people within the workplace. The local youth services within the UK are responding to extensive development of the policies that can be recognised in the European Policy developments. The initiatives are centrally aimed at the pursuit of social cohesion along with enhancing continuous learning and refurbishment opportunities for the young population in different settings of workplace (Blakeman, n.d.). In relation to the current policies and practices, the local youth services within the UK are highly focused on planning and acknowledging the prominent role of strategic leadership during the process of retaining idiosyncratic behaviour of the young people at the workplace. The strategic leadership functions of the governmental policies demonstrate that the local youth services are widely involved in voluntary and societal activities. In this regard, the educational sector along with youth offending and health service segment are significantly engaged in the development of adequate policies for integrating young people within different settings of the organisations (Lister & et. al., 2005; Blakeman, n.d.). With regard to reducing the influence of deviance culture, the governmental policies also ensure to build a strong relation with the Youth Culture by involving them in various voluntary and society refurbishment activities. The strategic measures associated with the development of youth and the engagement of young people in various community development projects have also been identified to reduce their aberrant behavioural characteristics along with increasing their capability to refurbish the current political, economic and society environment (Lister & et. al., 2005). 6. Evaluating the Implications of Youth Participation and Citizenship for Work with Young People The participation and citizenship of young people can be ascertained as a major consideration of the governmental policies in the UK. In relation to the current practice of youth policies, there are a number of implications that can be discovered with respect to the participation of youth and citizenship for work with young people (Martin & Smith, 2013; Lister & et. al., 2005). Youth participation and citizenship not only improve the behavioural characteristics, but they also help the youth in reinforcing their confidence, developing new work skills along with propelling revered moral values within a workplace setting (Fitzsimons, 2011; Merton & et. al., 2004). Moreover, the engagement of youth for work with young people also improves the prospect of finding jobs. In relation to the recent studies, it is evident that building a close relationship with the communities and services also enables youth workers to bridge the gap within the relationship between young people and their family members (Merton & et. al., 2004; Bennett & Kahn-Harris., 2004). However, the participation and citizenship of youth for work with young people can also have a negative implication. In the context of their aberrant behavioural characteristics, young people also have been observed to face a number of constraints while intending to participate for work with young people. The negative influences from the family members or peers can restrict the participation of youth within a working environment of young people (Merton & et. al. 2004). 7. Conclusion According to the aforesaid discussion, it is apparent that the development of Youth Culture is a long standing issue that is experienced by the communities in the UK. The studies involved in this module reveal widespread consensus regarding the importance of youth participation and citizenship for work with young people. In this regard, the analysis has revealed that the participation and citizenship of youth have a number of implications towards the development of a particular society or workplace. Moreover, the study has also briefly highlighted key perceptions, policies and practices that have influenced youth to involve in deviant behaviour. Although the deviant behaviour of the youth comprises a set of aggressive traits, it can also be used as a key element to refurbish the current political and social environment and improve the standard of living of the youth along with their innate productivity capability. Moreover, the study has also briefly discussed deviant behaviour of the youth which can also be considered to improve the behavioural skills and characteristics of young people while working within a similar environment. References Bennett, A. & Kahn-Harris K., 2004. After Subculture: Critical Studies in Contemporary Youth Culture. Palgrave Macmillan. Best, S. & Kellner, D., No Date. Contemporary Youth and the Postmodern Adventure. Essays. [Online] Available at: http://pages.gseis.ucla.edu/faculty/kellner/essays/youthpostmodernadventure.pdf [Accessed February 27, 2014]. Blakeman, I., No Date. The Youth Justice System of England and Wales. Resource Material Series No.78, pp. 80-93. Clinard, M. B. & Meier, R. F., 2008. Sociology of Deviant Behavior, Thirteenth Edition. Thomson Wadsworth. Fitzsimons, A., 2011. Empowerment and Participation in Youth Work, Learning Matters. Exeter Hall, S. & Du Gay, P., 1996. Questions of Cultural Identity. Sage Publications. Hall, S. & Humphries, S., 1995. Hooligans or Rebels? An Oral History of Working Class Childhood. Blackwell. Hall, S. & Jefferson, T., 1993. Resistance through Rituals: Youth Subcultures in Post-war Britain (Youth Subcultures in Post-war Britain). Routledge. Halsey, K. & White, R., 2008. Young People, Crime and Public Perceptions: A Review of the Literature. Local Government Association. [Online] Available at: http://www.socialscienceforschools.org.uk/images/Young%20people,%20crime%20and%20public%20perceptions_tcm20-21776.pdf [Accessed February 27, 2014]. Kehily, M. J., 2007. Understanding Youth: Perspectives, Identities & Practices: Perspectives, Identities and Practices. Sage Publications. Kenneth, A. D. & et. al., 2006. Deviant Peer Influences in Intervention and Public Policy for Youth. Social Policy Report, Vol. 20, No. 1, pp. 3-19. Lister, R. & et. al., 2005. Young Peoples Voices: Citizenship Education. National Youth Agency. Martin, M. C. & Smith, J. A., 2013. Youth, Recreation and Play: History, Sociology, Evolutionary Biology. Youth & Policy, No. 111, pp. 1-104. McNeil, B. & et. al., 2012. The Young Foundation 2012 A Framework of Outcomes for Young People. The Young Foundation. [Online] Available at: https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/175476/Framework_of_Outcomes_for_Young_People.pdf [Accessed February 27, 2014]. Merton, B. & et. al., 2004. An Evaluation of the Impact of Youth Work in England. Department for Education and Skills. [Online] Available at: http://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/20130401151715/https://www.education.gov.uk/publications/eOrderingDownload/RR606.pdf [Accessed February 27, 2014]. Roche, J. & et. al., 2004. Youth in Society: Contemporary Theory, Policy and Practice. SAGE Publications Ltd. Siegel, L. J., 2000. Crime and Criminology. Abstract. [Online] Available at: https://www.ncjrs.gov/App/publications/abstract.aspx?ID=185179 [Accessed February 27, 2014]. Steinberg, S. & et. al., 2006. Contemporary Youth Culture: An International Encyclopedia, Volume 2. Greenwood. Read More