It is
debatable that whether or not people can understand contemporary culture by
analyzing the trends of its youth. I disagree with the idea that trend of youth
represents whole contemporary culture at that time.
Admittedly, trends of youth reflect contemporary culture so we can
understand some aspects of the culture. This is because youth are most sensitive
generation for the new trends or a period atmosphere. For example in 1980, in
Korea, many youth were participated in demonstration against military ruled
government. Moreover protest songs were popular among youth at that time. This
trend of youth reflect the situation that nation was under military
dictatorship. Therefore by watching this culture of youth related to
demonstration in 1980 in Korea, people can comprehend social atmosphere under
dictatorship those days. As seen in this epitome, people can understand some
sides of culture in those days through youth culture.
However, trends of youth cannot show all aspects of contemporary
culture because many different generations consist of a society. For example,
In Korea, young people like and enjoy k-pop culture. Psy who is famous for his
song ‘Kangnam style’ is popular among young people. However some old people
think that ‘Kangnam style’ cannot show Korean value. Because it does not
contain Korean value but only includes noisy sounds and fast rhythms with
sexual contents.
Moreover, trends of youth so frivolous and changes fast that people
cannot catch contemporary culture through it. For example, the brand, ‘Nike’
was popular among young people one time in Korea. Every young people where it. However
this trend had continued only one year and trend changed. Therefore people cannot
understand whole culture those days by observing short-lasting trend of youth.
To sum up, it is not proper to understand contemporary culture by
observing youth culture. This is because youth culture cannot represent opinions
of whole generations and its frivolity makes people difficult to catch culture
of whole society those days. Therefore, people should consider cultures of whole
generations to comprehend a society’s culture at that time.