GENDER divisions in YOUTH

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Feminists have criticised the Functionalist and Marxist analysis of youth subcultures for ignoring the role of females. Most subcultures are seen as being for males only, with a brief metion of girls in the background or as 'pillion passengers' (in the side seat/tag alongs/girlfriends/wives etc).

Heidensohn accuses Functionalism and the work of the CCCS of being 'malestream', and points out that most academics are male and are more interested in studying male subcultures. 

Subcultures arose partly because of increased disposable income and leisure time, but girls wages were much lower than boys. Their magazines encouraged girls to spend on household items in anticipation of marriage, this was known as saving for the bottom drawer.

The press tended to focus on boys in subcultures because they provided more sensational aspects of the youth subcultures. For example, Cohen stuided the fights between the Mods and Rockers, and the media covered the teddy boys ripping up cinema seats. Both of which were more visible and exciting to cover. Girls did not tend  to participate in such activities. If girls stayed out late, they would be looked down upon and said to be shaming the family (1950s). McRobbie and Garber formed the concept 'Bedroom Culture' and identified a strong 'teeny bopper' culture amongst young teenage girls - they would stay indoors gossiping about boys, experimenting with fashion and makeup…

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