Importance are media to the formation of youth as a social category.

Essay by dashneeUniversity, Bachelor'sB+, April 2003

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Media is vital in the formation of youth as a social category. It is a global phenomenon that influences social life far beyond music and entertainment industries. The development of media in relation to youth will be examined using hip-hop as a primary illustration. This essay will be informed based on Foucault's post-modern theory of the death of the author.

The distinction of youth as a significant social category is without a consideration a contribution and reinforcement of popular media. In the 1950's, patterns of consumption and production molded according to the needs of youth's to enjoy greater leisure time and buying power. The term 'youth' arose from the coming of age experience to the changing economic and political processes. The 'youth' became a new category of people. High rates of employment were conquered by this group (youth), which gave them unprecedented disposable income. (White, R and Wyn, J (1997) 'Concept of youth' in Rethinking Youth, Sydney, Allen and Unwin.).

A form of power and visibility were gained and eventually were seen to symbolize the change of moral and cultural values. The changing symbolic representation of youth has meaning and value in an increasing global way. The implication of this is that youth has a symbolic meaning as an item of consumption. The youth's created new modes of consumption, of leisure, and distinctive styles of clothing and music, which were identified with youth culture.

Media today is aimed at 'youth' to harness the 'disposable income' spilling from the pockets of this social category. Beyond this consumer-oriented mass media, which eats up a huge percentage of young people's time and attention, there are some outlets designed for the expression and critique of culture through youth eyes. But youth's have come to realize that they have the power to change society using...