How do the dominant representations of teenagers reflect the collective identity?
The film industry portrays teenagers in different ways usually the most stereotypically, for example partying, sexually active, alcoholic youths, for instance
These films represent the stereotypes of teenagers, but for an adults perspective because they are both rated as 18 films which suggest that they were made to aware parents of the dangers of sexual promiscuity in teenagers.
Because this is so common in both films and non fiction, adults sometimes forget that children are capable of doing productive things in their lives, for example the disney movies High school musical portray a group of different indivual cliques who get together to form the musical. They are all hard working peers and shows teenagers in a good light however this could be because it is a film for younger children such as those who watch the disney channel
both Thirteen and Kids are about a younger generation however the irony is that the ratings were 18 when they came out in cinemas. Although they are not awareness films but entertainment the films can create a moral panic amongst society because of the how they represent teens.
the question is however which portrayal is the most accurate? and are there truely accurate portrayals in films? because they focus on a selected group, it is never certain if there is a 'normal' teenager, instead of either reckless, which is shown to adults, or films with hardworking teens like high school musical.
- american films vs british films
- the british films such as kidulthood were directed by noel clarke who is quite young, he is portraying many as gangsters, drug lords, criminals, is he right because he is young?
- now the stereotype is all youths who wear hoodies are bad, if they are out late theyre drinking and partying, if they're in a tracksuit they will rob your bag.
