Youth Culture Now & Then

Culture describes the many ways in which human beings express themselves for the purposes of uniting with others, forming a group, defining an identity, and even for distinguishing themselves as unique.

Cultural expression is highly sensual in that human beings often create activities, practices, symbols, and so on that can be easily consumed by our senses. For example, culturally distinct forms of dance or physical movement attract our senses of touch and sight; whereas culturally specific foods seek to activate our sense of taste and smell.

Although “culture” is not necessary for the survival of the human species, notions of culture and cultural identities are present in almost every human society on earth. As the world moves closer together through increased globalization, migration, and technological advancement human beings are beginning to question the role (and reach) of culture within all aspects of human existence. The “question of culture” is one that reflects on how culture has historically been used to justify and legitimize certain behaviors, practices, traditions, and overall ways of living. For example, while drafting the Declaration on the Elimination of Violence against Women, several countries represented at this United Nations General Assembly meeting that year took reservation with some of the tenants of the declaration that were perceived as being in “conflict” with their cultural practices and beliefs. In this example, using culture to refrain from agreeing with a set of international standards for handling cases of violence directed at women, posed a difficult situation given that it placed culture at odds with upholding universal notions of human rights.
The relationship between youth culture and consumerism is rapidly growing stronger everyday. In today world, many youth cannot distinguish between “wants” and “needs”, and our capitalist economy often leads them to the fetishism of goods and services. Youth in our society...