Shank worksheet

Shank worksheet

• 1.
  Examining the futureand incorporating theory Giroux (1997) Giroux argues that in media representations youth becomes an „empty category‟. This is because media representations of young people are constructed by adults. Because of this they reflect adults concerns, anxieties, and needs. As a result of this media representations of young people do not necessarily reflect the reality of youth identity. Acland (1995) Acland argues that media representations of delinquent youths actually reinforce hegemony. They do this by constructing an idea of „normal‟ adult and youth behaviour, and contrasting it with deviant youth behaviour which is shown to be unacceptable. Acland also claims that media representations of young people out of control allows the state to have more control of them (e.g. media reports about delinquent youths led to ASBOs). This is something Acland calls the „ideology of protection‟ – the idea that young people need constant surveillance and monitoring. This happens because youth is the time when young people learn about social roles and values, and allows the state to make sure they conform to hegemonic values. Dick Hebdige Dick Hebdige – “subculture and the meaning of style” Could we argue that Youth Culture is a group of like-minded individuals who feel neglected by societies standards and who develop a sense of identity which differs. Subcultures – What are subcultures. A group of people (usually but not exclusively) of the same age social or economic status and ethnic background that share a common idea which often goes against the hegemonic dominant ideologies of mainstream society.
• 2.
  How can weapply these theoretical approaches to representation of youth to the texts we‟ve looked at so far? Whilst viewing the Shank consider and make notes on; - what are the main messages and values? - how is the film evidently a moral panic in itself? - how is it proving Acland correct, suggesting that the representations can ultimately allow the state to exercise more power or more importantly the need for something to be done so young people conform to hegemonic values?