Identity and the wider media

1) The Factsheet discusses how identity is a complex subject. What does it suggest defines our identity?

Identity is a very complex subject. How we define ourselves is based on a complex set of relationships but we can think about our idea of ‘self’ as being:
 • who we think we are • who we want to be… and • who we think others think we are.

2) Complete the task on page 2: suggest media texts that could reinforce that someone is non-mainstream; edgy; a pleasure seeker; fashionable; witty and fun; cutting-edge.

3) What examples are suggested for a case study on urban youth?
One example suggested for a case study on the urban youth, is the chat show Jeremy Kyle. Films Harry Brown and Eden Lake put working class urban youth into the role of villain in their narratives. Youth culture was a threat to urban life and the older generation in Harry Brown and to rural peace and the middle classes in Eden Lake. 

4) What does Hebdige argue with regards to youth culture?
Media theorist Richard Hebdige says that youth cultures show their resistance to the dominant culture through their style choices. Urban youth can show itself to be outside the mainstream by adopting the uniform that is feared by mainstream culture and they learn about this fear in the media representations.

5) What other theorists are referenced alongside Hebdige? How do they link to the issue of youth identity?
Other theorists linked alongside to Hebdige:

•  (Acland) - The media continues to represent these youths as deviant in an attempt to reinforce mainstream values. 
• (Perkins) - these representations are constructed by people outside this group.
• (Giroux) - a reflection of adult culture’s fear of urban youth  Those within the group though have their status as outsiders reinforced.

6) How can we link our Year 12 case study on Ill Manors to youth and identity? What specific examples from the case study could be used to discuss Hebdige’s theory that youth culture challenges mainstream culture and dominant ideologies?

7) What does theorist David Gauntlett suggest regarding the media’s influence over the construction of identities?

David Gauntlett claims that the media has a large influence on identity. He believes that stereotypes construct individuals and how we see them. 

8) Do you agree that Hebdige’s view that youth culture will always seek to resist mainstream culture and challenge dominant ideologies?

I do agree with Hedbige's views regarding that youth culture will always seek to resist mainstream culture and challenge dominant ideologies, I think people in today's society do try to challenge negative stereotypes and dominant ideologies.