Youth Culture

Task: What areas of youth culture are part of your life? (If you don't know what youth culture is-google it) What do you think has the biggest cultural/external influence on your life and development ? Describe it. Compare yourself with your Turkish friends and your other European friends-list intesresting differences.

I think...no I'd better google "youth culture" first...

"Youth culture is “the sum of the ways of living of adolescents; it refers to the body of norms, values, and practices recognized and shared by members of the adolescent society as appropriate guides to actions" (F. Philip Rice, The Adolescent: Development, Relationships, and Culture)





In my humble opinion it's inevitable for any teenager to be influenced by the youth culture. Whether it revolves around music, fashion, sports, technology, academic concerns (you know I mean nerds) or political opinions, teenagers tend to categorise not only themselves but also "others" into certain groups. I believe it's all about them to feel a a sense belonging in a world where they are currently uncertain of their true identity. They cling on to these groups so as to protect themselves from any kind of danger, depression or loneliness. However clinging on to something that stongly only makes a person more vulnerable in their absence, thus I think it's more important for a teenager to be able to stand on his/her own two feet, rather than to belong to a group.


I don't mean to boast but I feel I've managed to distance myself from any kind of groups, as categorising oneself means limiting not only your abilities but also limiting your horizons and closing doors to new oppotunities. Despite my efforts, I would be lying to myself if I were to tell you that I remain unaffected from external influences, as they're constantly shaping people around the world even if they don't notice it at the time being. The simplest example I can come up with is family and how a person is brought up. They say a person is a mirror, reflecting his parents' qualities, but I think the statement is only half true. Once a person enters adolescence, he begins to favour his friends more than his family and therefore his friends become the main influence in his life (yes, the bitter truth).