Week 7- Barker, Chapter 13 (Youth, Style, and Resistance)

Cultural studies has found that youth (which may include children, adolescents, and students ranging from 6th-12th grade and even college), is one of the most misunderstood cultures. Barker has captured some of the conversations that are being talked about and need to be critically addressed further because it is the "youth" that will be the future. I have been studying and doing research of the student culture (youth culture) for a few years and it amazes me how much hurt, pain, and suffering these individuals are experiencing. As Paul Willis suggests, young people are active, creative, and symbolically productive in relation to their youth culture. However, the downside to a culture that is active and creative is the rise in consumerism among youth, which in turn creates even more concerns, issues, and further conversations. One of the main issues vaguely touched upon by Barker, is the level of authenticity of the youth culture. Meaning, the youth culture can easily sense authentic and transparent individuals, and this is something many people aren't writing about or researching, but I think it is something desperately needed to be analyzed and critiqued. I think the "depth model" can be a useful model and I would even suggest it be a model used more frequently if used properly. The youth subculture is the central reason why I am pursuing further education and desiring to be a student pastor.