Using the Concept of Generation in Youth Sociology

Abstract

While youth studies is a diverse area of research, two approaches commonly labelled ‘transitions’ and ‘cultures’ have dominated the field over recent years. The ‘transitions’ perspective focuses on young people’s transitions to adult statuses, particularly the transition from education to employment. The cultures perspective investigates young people’s cultural practices – particularly involving music and ‘style’ – investigating among other questions the potential political content of these practices and their role in identity creation. Researchers working primarily in one approach have tended towards either indifference or antagonism towards research from the other approach. Yet the separat..