G325 example Response: Media and Collective Identity
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This document provides an outline for an essay discussing the social implications of media representations of youth subcultures. It includes sample introductions, discussions of representations in film and music videos with references to social identity theory, and suggests ending by discussing the future of these representations and their social implications. Examples of films such as "Kidulthood" and "Shifty" are given to illustrate negative and stereotypical portrayals of youth in media and their potential effects on societal views.
G325 example Response: Media and Collective Identity
- 1. This has not come up so far so could be a The Question… realistic contender… What are the social implications of different media representations of groups of people? Discuss with reference to two or more media… Try to begin with something catchy yet relevant (there’s Introduction: Sample 1 no reason why you can’t prepare this beforehand) this example would work for any essay… “It is difficult to overestimate the influence of the media in today’s world. Not only do we rely on the media to satisfy our craving for news (be it celebrity or otherwise), but we also increasingly rely on it for entertainment. With such a wide coverage, it is little wonder that modern media plays an increasing role in shaping our views of our own cultural identities and those of others, largely through the concept of representation. This essay, through a discussion of representations of youth subcultures in film and music video, will discuss the effects of these representations on modern society. It will show that the largely negative, stereotypical portrayals of youth subcultures in film and music video can have a detrimental impact on how society views these groups, but also that there are exceptions to this rule” Explain the group you are focusing on, the media you are using and the gist of your argument. Introduction: Sample 2 Or, begin with a quote on As the often-quoted Gauntlett puts it, ‘Identity is complicated: everyone thinks identity they’ve got one’. Different media have sought to present different youth theory… subcultures in different ways in recent years and this is what makes the issue complicated; films, music videos, newspapers, TV drama and news programs have all painted detailed pictures of the youth subculture, and the things they represent - be it behaviour, attitudes, social interactions – clearly have an impact on society. This essay… (see above)
- 2. Media example 1 (film): Sample “In terms of film, modern British cinema can be seen to have represented youth culture in a variety of ways in recent years. From violent gang warfare in ‘Bullet Boy’ (2006) and ‘Kidulthood’ (2006) / ‘Adulthood’ (2008), drugs in ‘Shifty’ (2009) and ASBO culture and social deprivation in ‘Fish Tank’ (2009), it’s safe to say that directors have rarely painted a pretty picture of the Youth Subculture in Britain in the 21st Century. Most of the above films are set in gritty, run-down, urban locations, where the impossibility of social mobility prevents children and youths from single-parent families breaking away from the social circles they are born into. ‘Shifty’ unconventionally, chooses to depict it’s middle class, educated protagonist becoming embroiled in drugs and other serious crime, perhaps suggesting that this situation crosses social classes and serving to echo the theme of choice famously seen in ‘Trainspotting’ (1996). An example of All these films can be sent to some extent to conform to Tajfel’s and Turner’s how you could Social Identity Theory. Tajfel and Turner suggested that social identity is bring this theory in. You established through categorisation (group members grouping / aligning could choose themselves to others, based on for example ethnicity, as is evident in ‘Bullet instead to just Boy’), before identifying with each other (through music and clothes, for example analyse one as seen in ‘This is England’ through Ben Sherman’s and Doc Martins), to create a film? sense of belonging. The comparison stage, in which groups or gangs compare themselves with others, is what often leads to conflict, as seen historically in ‘Quadrophenia’ (1970) with the conflicts between Mods and Rockers. Other features such as the detailed mise-en-scene of ‘Quadrophenia’, the documentary style camerawork of ‘Bullet Boy’, and the choice of locations add to the realism of these films, serving to further embed the representations they draw in the minds of the audience. In this respect, film can be seen as a hypodermic needle, injecting the values it depicts into those who consume it. All this goes towards embedding a negative portrayal of the youth subculture in the minds of society. The somewhat clichéd ‘hoodie’ culture and the ‘lack of respect for their elders’ that TV News programs and Newspapers often use to fill Link back to the question. In this their column inches is, in some respects, fully backed up by what is seen on case, what are screen in terms of modern film. This, in turn, leads to what can at times be the social described as media frenzy, as the youth of today are thoughtlessly criticised for implications? any of society’s wrongs. This endless negative portrayal of youth by the media would seem to mirror an enduring theme in many of the aforementioned films; namely that there is no way out for the youth subculture of today from the situations they find themselves in. The problem is that the serious issues raised by these films sometimes go unnoticed as society concentrates on blaming the youth subculture without consider the situations they are in. It is therefore encouraging that some films, such as ‘Bullet Boy’ and ‘Shifty’, do choose to end with a sense of hope, as characters are seen to attempt to move on from the social circle in which they are trapped.”
- 3. Media example 2 (music video): sample “Many of the issues raised above can be seen to be mirrored in music videos…” Follow the same pattern as with film above: • Explain what is represented (through for example ‘Kid British’, ‘Blur’, ‘Supergrass’ and any of the hundreds you may have watched), and how (m-e-s, music etc). • Link to theory – Tafjel and Turner, Hypodermic Needle, Masculinity in Crisis, Andrew Goodwin… • Comment maybe that music videos are targeted mainly at young people, limiting the impact they have on society as a whole. Comment on the future It is important that you finish with your view on what the future will hold for representations of youth culture and, in the case of this essay question, the future social implications of this representation. In this case, I would say something like… “As I have here discussed, it is evident that a significant proportion of representations of the youth subculture in modern film and music video serves to provide a negative viewpoint on their role in society. In terms of film however, the increasing trend for films from the social realism genre to end of a note of optimism (albeit a slight one), offers hope for the future. It is crucial however, that other media, such as TV News and Newspapers, pay more attention to the messages of these films and the tragic issues they raise, rather than simply stereotyping the attitudes and behaviour of young people, thereby cementing the negative view that society holds. Music videos do in general offer a more light- hearted view, though as their target audience is predominantly youth orientated, it is hard to see how they can have an impact in redressing the balance. As Gauntlett says, identity is a complicated issue. It now falls to other media to redress the balance of their portrayals of youth if society is going to move on in its’ views of youth culture.” Remember! This is not supposed to be perfect, and I may have different views than your own, but I think this has the right balance of argument / examples / theory to reach the higher levels. So, it could be useful for yourselves…