EUKN - European Urban Knowledge Network - Superlocal Identities - the value of European urban youth cultures

Superlocal Identities - the value of European urban youth cultures

Introduction

In his article 'Superlocal identities' published by Eurozine.com, Tommi Laitio discusses the development of European youth cultures. Even though youth cultures often have an American origin, they can function as tools for voicing European concerns better than national, elite-driven culture, Laitio states. However, public bodies seem very slow to recognise the value of European youth cultures. Their interest in subcultures is often driven by fear. Commercial actors on the contrary have been very succesful in the support of youth cultures and got ahead of the public bodies. Public bodies in Europe might therefore want to reconsider their approach towards urban youth cultures and expand it beyond the mobilisation of youth when addressing issues of integration.

Description

"The development of urban youth cultures in Europe proves that despite their mostly US origin, they often function as channels for voicing national and local concerns. There are many European experiences to be explored and shared. Phenomena such as street fashion, independent publishing and hip hop have the potential to open up European elite-driven paradigms of quality, culture and citizen participation", Tommi Laitio states in his article. The commercial sector has been quick to realise the value of youth cultures and now widely supports them. Politics and the mainstream media however have been late to realise this value and now have a lot of catching up to do. The interest of those institutions is often driven by fear and not by real curiosity. Public authorities also run into the difficulty of supporting youth activities which are considered illegal (parties/festivals, posting, graffiti). According to Laitio, European media and public bodies should recognise the artistic and positive aspects of subcultures and apply this recognition beyond the mere use of youth cultures when issues of, for example, integration are discussed. In addition, more needs to be done at the public level to cultivate the conditions in which youth cultures can thrive.

Tommi Laitio is a journalist and cultural worker living in Amsterdam.

Conclusions

Youth cultures present a strong case for the ultimate idea of Europe - allowing differences within a shared framework
Commercial actors are very succesful in the support of youth cultures in Europe
Public autorities and the media have a lot of catching up to do when it comes to the recognition of youth cultures and should come to realise that they are valuable phenomena
More needs to be done at the public level to cultivate the conditions in which youth culture can thrive.

Contact info

Eurozine
Dürergasse 14-16/8
1060 Vienna
Phone: +43 1-334 29 80
office@eurozine.com

Publication date

13/12/2008

Links

Click here to read the full article 'superlocal identities' on Eurozine.com

Document type

research

Themes

Urban Policy > Social inclusion & integration > Integration of social groups

Keywords

Young people