BRITISH

SUBCULTURE

REPRESENTATION

LO: TO ANALYSE AND HIGHLIGHT THE

NEGATIVE REPRESENTATION OF THE MODS

AND ROCKERS SUBCULTURE

DO NOW

In your book write number 1 – 6 and write down

the best known subcultures for each time

period.

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

1. 1950’S

2. 1960’S

3. 1970’S

4. 1990’S

5. 1980’S

6. 2000’S

EXAM REFERENCE

1950sBirth of teenage culture - following world war II, there was a baby

boom which brought about some strong youth cultures in Britain.

Young people were beginning to turn away from their parents and

create new cultural expressions. Among these cultural

phenomenon's were the 'Teddy Boys' also known as 'Ted'. They

formed gangs and became high profile rebels in the media. This

young group of delinquent young men dressed in 'Edwardian'

clothing who introduced anarchy into British society and used early

rock and roll as their battle call.

'Teddy girls' also known as 'judies' would dress up in their own

drape jackets, rolled-up jeans, flat shoes, tailored jackets with

velvet collars , straw boater hats, brooches, espadrilles and elegant

clutch bags. They would go to the cinema in groups and attend

dances and concerts with the boys, collect rock’n'roll records and

magazines. Together, they essentially cultivated the first market for

teenage leisure in Britain. Despite this the media was less

interested in Teddy girls since a young working class women's role

was still at the time focused around the house.

1960sThe mods and rockers were two conflicting British youth subcultures of the early to mid

1960s. Media coverage of mods and rockers fighting in 1964 sparked a moral panic about

British youths and the two groups became labelled as folk devils.

Mod is a youth culture of the early to mid-1960s. Focused on

fashion and music, the subculture has its roots in a small group

of London-based stylish young men in the late 1950s who were

termed modernists because they listened to modern jazz.

Significant elements of the mod subculture include fashion

(often tailor-made suits); music (including Soul, SKA , and R&B);

and motor scooters (usually Lambretta or Vespa). The original

mod scene was associated with amphetamine -fuelled all-night

dancing at clubs

Rockers, leather boys or ton-up boys are members of

a biker subculture that originated in the United Kingdom during

the 1950s. It was mainly centred around British café racer,

motorcycles and rock and roll music. The Teddy boys were

considered their "spiritual ancestors". The rockers or ton-up

boys took what was essentially a sport and turned it into a

lifestyle, dropping out of mainstream society and "rebelling at

the points where their will crossed society's". This damaged the

public image of motorcycling in the UK and led to the

politicisation of the motorcycling community

1970sGlam rockers followers of style of rock and pop music that

developed in the UK in the early 1970s, which was performed by

singers and musicians who wore outrageous clothes, makeup and

hairstyles, particularly platform-soled boots and glitter. The

flamboyant costumes and visual styles of glam performers were

often camp or androgynous, and have been connected with new

views of gender roles.

The punk subculture which centres around punk rock music,

includes a diverse array of ideologies, fashions and forms of

expression, including visual art, dance, literature and film. The

subculture is largely characterized by anti-establishment views

and the promotion of individual freedom. Notable trends include

rebellion, individualism, anti-capitalism, anti-racism, anti-

sexism, anti-homophobia, environmentalism, vegetarianism

and animal rights.

The goth culture is most closely associated with repressed teenage

rebellion, outsider culture and a dark, alternative to punk. The two

genres came together in the late 1970s/ Thought of as a two-fingered

renunciation to sparkly-eyed, perfect preppy kids, goths favoured

eyeliner and a neo-Victorian style – all in black. Goth was never

about being at the cutting edge of cool, but will always live on with

youth as a way to say: “I don’t conform”.

1980sNew Romantics (also called blitz kids and a variety of other

names) was a pop culture movement in the UK that began as a

nightclub scene around 1979 and peaked around 1981. Developing

in London and Birmingham, at nightclubs such as Billy's and the

Blitz, and fashion boutiques such as Kahn and Bell, it spread to

other major cities in the UK and was based around flamboyant,

eccentric fashion and new wave music.

For Britain, the Swinging 80s were a tumultuous period of social

change when the young gained many levers of power away from

the over-40s. London became a creative powerhouse and its pop

and street fashion the toast of world capitals. All because a vast

dance underground had been gagging for a very sociable

revolution.Soul boys were a working class English youth subculture of the late 1970s and early 1980s, and

fans of American soul and funk music. Although the soul boy scene was huge by the early

1980s, it was centred around American funk acts and was largely working class; therefore it

received far less media coverage than more middle class youth cultures of the same period,

notably the new romantics.

1980s also saw the emergence and occurrence of many football hooligans firms.

1990sLad culture is a subculture initially associated with Britpop music

of the 1990s. "The image of the 'lad' or 'new lad' arose in the early

1990s as a generally middle-class figure adopting attitudes usually

recognised to the working classes”. These attitudes included male

pastimes of drinking, watching football and sex. This culture is seen

as a reaction to a time where males saw themselves battered by

feminism. It is shown as males taking their masculinity back after

subcultures that emerged both sexes as one with men wearing lots

of makeup e.g. New Romantics.

The word "ladette" has been coined to describe young women who try to emulate laddish

behaviour; it is defined as ‘Young women who behave in a boisterously assertive or crude

manner and engage in heavy drinking sessions’.

Raves and acid parties became a way of life for many

during the 1990s. Due to this drugs became a part of

mainstream youth culture. A BBC article from 1999 stated

that ‘It was found that 70% of young people said they had

used drugs in the last year and 93% of those who had used

drugs said they were prepared to mix substances’.

2000sDuring the 2000s, hoodies had gained a negative image, being

associated with trouble making teens and anti-social behaviour. It

became one of the later items associated with "chavs”, or Neds.

Due to increase in gang violence crimes, hoodies became

nationally feared and there were many protests in favour to have

hoodies banned.

Chav refers to a anti-social subculture. Chav as an informal

British derogatory meaning a young lower-class person who

displays brash and loutish behaviour and wears real or imitation

designer clothes.

Another issue is that new forms of media, such as the internet, create new forms of

misbehaviour that have high public visibility. Incidents of “happy slapping” caught on mobile

phone can be distributed around the world within minutes. Such cases bring crime “into the

living room of people who may not previously have been concerned by it. This does not,

however, mean that youth behaviour is worse than it used to be.

In 2008 an American magazine stated that ‘British youngsters drink far more than their

European counterparts, are more frequently involved in violence and are more likely to try

drugs, adding that English girls are the most sexually active in Europe.’

A BBC TV documentary suggested that "chav" culture is an evolution of previous working-

class youth subcultures associated with particular commercial clothing styles, such

as mods, skinheads, and casuals.

MODS AND

ROCKERS

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r61ks1

8Bd7I&t=95s

TASK

Your task will is to write an essay detailing:

• Who the mods and rockers were

• How they were represented by the media

• The impact they had on society

• A representation theory that can applied

to them with an explanation of it’s

relevance

• A conclusion of your discussion

SUCCESS CRITERIA

• Supporting evidence relevant to discussion

• Social implications highlighted

• Application of theory

• Future predictions

INTRODUCTION

What is the purpose of your

essay?

What will you discuss?

What will you reference in

your discussion?

PARAGRAPH 1

Who were the mods and

rockers?

Supporting Documents:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mods_and_rockers

http://subcultureslist.com/mods-and-rockers/

PARAGRAPH 2

How were the mods and rockers represented by the media?

What impact did this have on society?

Refer to a news story that highlights the way the media represented

the mods and rockers embedding the term ‘moral panic’ and

explaining how it relates to Cohen’s beliefs.

Refer to a news story that highlights the way the media represented

the mods and rockers embedding the term ‘moral panic’.

Refer to a news story that highlights the way the media

represented the mods and rockers.

UNSURE?

PARAGRAPH 2

How were the mods and rockers represented by the media?

What impact did this have on society?

Refer to a news story that highlights the way the media represented

the mods and rockers embedding the term ‘moral panic’ and

explaining how it relates to Cohen’s beliefs.

Refer to a news story that highlights the way the media represented

the mods and rockers embedding the term ‘moral panic’.

Refer to a news story that highlights the way the media

represented the mods and rockers.

Differentiation: Refer to the film

text ‘Quadrophenia’

PARAGRAPH 3

Other than Cohen, apply a representation theory to your

analysis of the mods and rockers.

Refer to two theories from the theories booklet and also link to the

cultivation theory.

Refer to two theories from the theories booklet

Refer to one theory from the theories booklet

APPLICATION OF

THEORY

Point

What theory can be applied?

Based on the representations within the media case study

the theory of ‘………..’ can be applied.

Evidence

What has been evidence has been demonstrated that links to

the behaviour?

The theory can be applied to the media coverage of…

Explain

How does this link to the theory?

…………….’s theory can be linked because…

APPLICATION OF

THEORY

Point

’The Selfish Giant’ (2013) follows the lives of two teenage boys, Arbor and Swifty,

growing up in a poor and run down area of Bradford, northern England. Within the story

the boys are suspended from school after a fight and finally decide to earn money

collecting and selling scrap metal to devastating consequences.

Evidence

In terms of representation the film is a rich source to refer to in discussing the negative

representation of youth because negative stereotypes are central to its narrative. Within

the opening scenes of the film audiences are presented with images of Arbor wildly out

of control due to a medical condition, acting antisocially late at night and in various

instances of conflict inside and outside of school.

Explain

These scenes alone can be seen to conform to the beliefs of Gramsci (1971) as the

lower class youth are represented negatively, manipulated in a way without any

consideration of the context of the events. As the film progresses positive acts are

shown through Arbor and Swift as the defy expectation attempting to provide for their

family though this thought is soon overshadowed. Scenes involving further conflict and

theft take precedence again negatively stereotyping youth in an exaggerated manner

that communicates quickly with audiences (Medhurst, 1995).

Giroux (1997)

Giroux theory Media representations youths

= ‘Empty category’ DUE to media = ADULTS (No

teenagers) Means – DOES NOT reflect

reality of teenagers

Representation of youth Giroux views show how the youth are mistreated within the media. Describing them as an ‘Empty category’ explains that adults do not really understand what it is like to be a youth in this generation. Therefore they just plonk their own ideas into this empty space of what they believe the representation of youth it.

Effects of these representationsMedia involving just adults therefore greatly effects these representations. The adults do not want their generation to look bad therefore use teenagers as a scapegoat to place the blame on.

The role of media representations in society

By looking at this theory we are able to see that the representation of youth is moulded together through what adults believe and think. Thus then would lead to uprising of stereotypes through the media and also cause moral panics of youths. When all of this has just been created through hegemony and the media raining down their ideas onto the adults

Acland (1995)

Acland theory Media representations –

Delinquent youths = enhance hegemony

Done by ideal of ‘NORM’ adult and youth behaviour = Contrasts deviant youth behaviour = Unacceptable

Representation of youth Media representations of young people =

allows state to control them (EG ASBOs) This is known as ‘Ideology of protection’

Idea that youths need to be CONTANTLY watched

= Youth is the time where they learn about social roles/values State needs to confirm these values

Effects of these representations This therefore effects the representations as the adults see youths as all being reckless and they have to keep enforcing that these actions are bad. This is to enforce the hegemony of how the should not behave when I comes to adulthood. This means that there will be more negative stories in the media

The role of media representations in society

By looking at this theory we are able to see that adults believe that it is necessary to show youths in such a disastrous way. This is so they can tell youths how to act an how not to act so they can enforce middle class hegemony.

Hebdige (1979)

Hebdige theory Studies British youth subcultures

(Late 1970’s) Focused on the reality of youth

cultures. Subcultures = Youths to express

themselves and to challenge hegemony (Mostly through style)

Representation of youthHebdige argues that the representation of youths is VERY limited Either shown as Trouble or fun there is no inbetween. Suggest media representation of youths in NOT REALITY

Effects of these representations Therefore this would effect the representation of youths dramatically. Due to them either being shown in two different ways of being trouble or having fun in the media it suggest that we never get to see the good and hard working teens of society who just fade into the background (Being seen by the media as boring)

The role of media representations in society

By looking at this theory we are able to see that the media in society tends to ignore the good and the hard working and focuses on the fun and the trouble. This therefore makes adults believe that all Youths behave in this manner.

Cohen (1972)

Cohen theory Studied media response to mods

and rockers riots (60’s) Time ‘Folk devils’ emerge in society Reflect anxieties at the time

= Causing a moral panic to occur

Representation of youth The effect of the moral panic is to reinforce hegemony by the media making it clear what values society do not accept. This shows that when youths try to express themselves in a way that adults have not seen before they try stop it by showing it as a negative aspect

Effects of these representations Therefore this would effect the representation of youths as it shows that they are not allowed to express themselves within a different way that society does not see as acceptable. Therefore this places a more negative effect on the youths as everything they do out of the norms of society is seen as bad.

The role of media representations in society

By looking at this theory we are able to see that the media places the blame onto the youths seeing them as an easy target. This causes the moral panic cycle to happen in order to stamp down hard onto anything that youths try to do that is out of the norms.

Gramsci

Gramsci theoryDeveloped concept of cultural hegemony Social class (Middle class) dominate society by: Their life = Normal, natural and common sense.

Representation of youthTherefore other social groups/classed ACCEPT these values and class these as a normal way of life. This meaning that lowesocial classes will always be shown as negative as they are unable to have the same lifestyle as middle class people.

Effects of these representations This would effect representations as all representations of youth will always be contrasted with middle class youths. Thus meaning that if the lower class youths are not living up to the standard of the middle class youths then they will always be looked down upon within society

The role of media representations in society

By looking at this theory we are able to see that the media always still with the hegemony of the higher classes as these are seen as more acceptable. Also that they do not take into consideration how other people live within society

Greg Philo

Greg Philo theoryArgues that Contemporary ‘Hoodie cinema’ reflects middle class anxiety about the threat of the working class

Representation of youth This shows that anyone under middle class is inserted into this ‘Hoodie cinema’ which is basically summing up that in all films that if you are not middle class then you are a thug in a hoodie.

Effects of these representationsTherefore this would effects working class youths as by everyone else they would be seen as thugs and upper class people would be more threatened of them. Also it would be harder for them to make something of their life if they believe that they will always be linked with the ‘hoodie cinema’ idea.

The role of media representations in society

By looking at this theory we are able to tell that the media link social classes with strong stereotypes. With the middle class being the ideal person and anyone lower than this being a hooligan.

Gerbner – Cultivation theory

Gerbner – Cultivation theoryStudied effect of television Perception of crime.Found Watched loads of TV = Overestimate crime (Mean world syndrome)News reports/TV dramas/ films = Lots of crime = influence perception of world(CULTIVATION THEORY)

Representation of youth This shows that youth are always the victims of being involved within crime throughout many media platforms. This therefore would give people the perception that youths do all the crime thus making them being represented badly.

Effects of these representationsTherefore this would effect the representation of youths by automatically giving them a bad name no matter what they are like. This is because of all these programmes indoctrinating the public to place the blame onto teens automatically

The role of media representations in society

By looking at this theory we are able to tell that representation is closely linked to what we see on the television. These then cause peoples perceptions to change on representations depends on what has been shown on the television.

PARAGRAPH 3

Other than Cohen, apply representation theory to your

analysis of the mods and rockers.

Refer to two theories from the theories booklet and also link to the

cultivation theory.

Hebdidge, Acland and Gerbner

Refer to two theories from the theories booklet

Hebdidge and Acland

Refer to one theory from the theories booklet

Hebdidge

CONCLUSION

Write a conclusion having your final say on the issues raised in

your essay

Conclude your argument emphasising if the representations offered were

positive or negative, make a brief comment on the representation of other

subcultures as time has past, highlight what you expect future representations

to be like for youth

Conclude your argument emphasising if the representations offered

were positive or negative with a brief comment on other subcultures as

time has past

Conclude your argument emphasising if the

representations offered were positive or negative