Identity and the wider media

1) The Factsheet discusses how identity is a complex subject. What does it suggest defines our identity?


Identity is a very complex subject. How we define ourselves is
based on a complex set of relationships but we can think about our

1. idea of ‘self’ as being:
2. • who we think we are
3. • who we want to be… and
4. • who we think others think we are

2) Complete the task on page 2: suggest media texts that could reinforce that someone is non-mainstream; edgy; a pleasure seeker; fashionable; witty and fun; cutting-edge.

You are…. … media use to reinforce these ideas?

non-mainstream= Alternative streaming service to Netflix and Amazon 

edgy= 

a pleasure seeker= social media sites like Instagram 

fashionable= style magazines

witty and fun= meme pages 


cutting-edge= 


3) What examples are suggested for a case study on urban youth?

The urban youth are considered to be outsiders as they reinforce mainstream values (ALthussar). Jeremy Kyle is a show used an example to show how some of the urban youth are represented as Chav's nd hoodies which create the moral panics in the media. Also the shows Harry Brown and Eden Lake make portray the urban youth to be the villainous type.

4) What does Hebdige argue with regards to youth culture? 

Hebdige says that youth cultures show their resistance to the dominant culture through their style choices.Urban youth can show itself to be outside the mainstream by
adopting the uniform that is feared by mainstream culture and they
learn about this fear in the media representations.

5) What other theorists are referenced alongside Hebdige? How do they link to the issue of youth identity?

• The media continues to represent these youths as deviant in an attempt to reinforce mainstream values (Acland)
• representations are constructed by people outside this group (Perkins)
• reflection of adult culture’s fear of urban youth (Giroux).

6) How can we link our Year 12 case study on Ill Manors to youth and identity? What specific examples from the case study could be used to discuss Hebdige’s theory that youth culture challenges mainstream culture and dominant ideologies?

Wearing the same clothes and having the same values can allow audience members to
identify with a group and so become an important part of the ‘construction of self’. Jessie J and Ben Drew (Plan B) also talk about how the urban identity of the youth can be adopted and constructed.

7) What does theorist David Gauntlett suggest regarding the media’s influence over the construction of identities?

Theorist David Gauntlett claims that the media have influence on identity construction and so the way the media stereotypes groups may become part of how individuals see themselves and media institutions are able to use this to sell their products.

8) Do you agree that Hebdige’s view that youth culture will always seek to resist mainstream culture and challenge dominant ideologies?

No not all the time because in the London riots this mainstream culture was reinforced when the urban youth culture looked like they were in their prime when they were doing what everyone expected them to do.