Photographic Essay of British Youth Culture

A study of British youth can be analyzed and documented through photographs of modern youth in everyday life. Below are categories of life as a young person in Britain and how they relate to the culture and subcultures of today.

After School Activities

British Youth are as effected by education as they are by their choices in the activities they partake in after school. The pictures above portray how this can range from hanging out in a park, eating lunch with friends near a common building, riding bikes or skateboarding, shopping at the local mall, reading and listening to music outside, and waiting for the train to take you to your next destination. In a city as popular, multicultural, and full of life and attractions as London, youth growing up here can utilize a tremendous amount of resources. In one step they can travel from a green field or park to a busy sidewalk or skate park. The city even embraces the variety of youth interest by maintaining these spaces. By observing how young people directly interact with the city it can be concluded that youth culture is a product of the environment. Each group of people in each of these pictures is participating in different activities, have unique hairstyles and distinct clothing styles that range from school uniforms to dresses or plain white t-shirts and jeans. However all of the groups share a similar style. The girls in the park are all wearing school uniforms. The boys in the skate park are wearing similar red hats, plain t-shirts and jeans. The young women sitting in the mall are wearing a lot of accessories and big earrings as well as stylish put together outfits. The group on the sidewalk reflects their relaxed laid back posture and style through their clothing.  The two boys in the tube station are wearing similar grey sweatshirts, dark jeans, and white sneakers. The only exception is the three young people sitting on the benches, but this can be accounted for because they do not seem to know each other.

Books, Magazines, Ads

Youth in any society is effected by media, including books, magazines, advertisements, film, and television. In Britain, young people from childhood and adolescence to young adulthood look to public figures to form their ideas of femininity and masculinity. This includes Prince William and his wife to be, Kate Middleton. London is currently overflowing with media, clothing, and souvenirs regarding the Royal Wedding and personal lives of these two people. In the picture above, the top and bottom shelf display books aimed towards young girls while the center shelf targets young adults. The books titled “You Can be Princess Catherine’s Bridesmaid” and ”Little Miss Princess” instill and reinforce the ultra-feminine qualities and desire of young girls to be princesses. With the term princess comes elegance, popularity, fancy clothing, and jewelry. This image is supposed to be the life that every little girl imagines. Every young British girl should want to grow up to marry a prince and be like Kate. Idolizing this one woman could affect elements of youth culture such as clothing, after school activities, and relationships. Reports and criticisms of Kate also effect young girls especially since they mainly concern body image. She has been called “too thin” and there has been talk of eating disorders. If Kate does desire to be thin then these girls may seek this as well.

            The image of the advertisement also addresses this issue of body image. It directly tries to target the critics of advertisements who believe that women of all body shapes and sizes should be represented to avoid distorted body image and eating disorders in women. That is why they feature three women with the subtitle: “We believe it’s about shape not size.” However, all three of these women are thin, sexualized, and of very similar shapes. This makes the ad contradictory and ineffective to a critic’s eye. But to young women this only defines “every shape” as the one that exemplifies thinness. This Ad along with the books pictured above directly effect the formation of British youth culture.

Education

British youth, much like American youth, form their lives around schooling. As attending University becomes more of an expectation it is becoming a necessary part of a young person’s life. The recent budget cuts in education and tuition increases have threatened the future careers and livelihoods of youth. This has caused great tension and unrest in students and young people all over England. The results are mass riots and protests, which proves that part of British youth culture is the willingness to stand for their futures and against social injustice. Class warfare has always been present among the youth, especially those of the working class or those that are students. Therefore, education, social change, and the structure of economic class are directly linked. The pictures above features Imperial College because it proves to be a significant institution with a full-time student base of 13,019 from 158 countries. These photos also include students as they enjoy their campus and socialize on the Queen’s Lawn. The final photo includes two young children who sit outside of the Science Museum eating lunch. It is obvious that they are students that perhaps are attending the museum on a school trip or for some knowledgeable gain. In a city where museums are free of charge students can take advantage of a multidimensional education.

Fashion & Technology

Fashion

Technology

Large elements of youth culture are the quick advancement in technology and variety of fashion. Young people are the primary users as well as the future creators of new technology. At any point in time or place you can see young people using computers, blackberries, cell phones, IPhones, IPods, Kindles, Ipads and laptops. All of these items keep them connected nationally and globally at all times. It allows the effortless sharing of ideas, art, humor, gossip, and critique. As a young person myself I can admit that without my cell phone or laptop I would feel lost or stranded without a means of communicating. The Internet has become such a vital part of life as a young person that new careers and businesses are emerging to take advantage of this sort of obsession and to advance it even further. Facebook and YouTube are primary examples of this. If you walk into a room of just young people it is almost a guarantee that at least one of them will be on their phones or on the their computers accessing the internet. The Internet and technology have also found their way into the fashion and shopping worlds. With the growth of online shopping and advertisement young people can more easily access new trends and clothing styles. A wide range of fashion is available ranging from bohemian, preppy or posh, and skater, to hip-hop and goth. This is not only a form of self-expression but also a means of identifying with a specific group of people that dress in a similar manner. Fashion is a primary element of youth culture and the base of spectacular youth subculture.

Religion

Religion has proven to be a growing influence in youth culture. It often defines their morals, attitudes, opinions, and goals. With the growing population of Islam in London, due to immigration as well as religious conversion, there have been more and more young women wearing the traditional garb. This can range from headscarves to the full burka. It has been very interesting for me to see as an American woman who has grown up in an area where this religion is not very common. There is a mix between headscarves and modern trendy clothing that reflects the desire of young people to mix their religion with their culture. Traditional conservative clothing specific to Hasidic Jews are also very common. Other religions make themselves known in young people through church attendance and representative jewelry. Divisions in youth subcultures can also be attributed to religion. The three pictures above display Islam, Judaism, and Catholicism through the women wearing headscarves, children wearing conservative clothing, and a church.

Unemployment

In the current economic climate young people, even those that are educated are having difficulty finding employment. In both the US and UK unemployment has been a growing issue. It has caused a panic and disillusionment in young people who have been told all of their lives that if they educate themselves they will have bright careers and their lives will unfold from there. The only work that seems to be available for young people is minimum wage jobs in areas such as retail, customer service or food services. The picture above is a sign that was placed in a retail store called “Choice” that is located in the Westfield Mall. If unemployment continues to be an issue it may cause great unrest in the young and result in protests and riots.

Sports

Sports are a significant part of youth cultures both as a form of self-expression and stress relief. In these photos a variety of sports are featured including boat races, tennis, basketball, and soccer/football. Many officials and sociologists also believe that sports can steer young people away from drugs and crime by giving them a healthier outlet. As a result, youth centers are featuring sports and a traveling stadium is making its way across the country to target inner city youth. Not only do British youth partake in the physical aspects of sports but they also intensely participate in the spectator portion as well. Allegiance to a specific team creates a unity among young people as well as a culture that includes celebration, drinking, and outfits and makeup to honor their team. Young people, but especially young men, can be seen celebrating in train stations with beer, chanting traditional fight songs, and dressed in a similar eclectic manner after a victory for their team. Significant sporting events also lure people who aren’t die-hard fans such as the Cambridge and Oxford boat race, which then creates a larger community event.