What Is the Role of Globalization in the Social Construction of Youth Culture - Assignment Example

What is the role of globalization in the social construction of youth culture (i.e., information technology, communication, fashion? Introduction Globalization and youth are the two keywords that symbolize the present day world. Globalization is a phenomena, whereas, the youth are seen as the vehicle for carrying forward this phenomena. The relation between the two is critical to the growth of a new world and extremely intricate. In addition, the correlation between the youth and globalization is bind by several social, economical, political and cultural factors. Owing to the global diversity, globalization has had different impact on youths of different regions and to a varied extent. This essay describes the impact of globalization on youth in terms of information technology, communication and fashion and how this impact has contributed towards the construction of a new youth culture. What is globalization? In the present times, we are living in a ‘globalized’ world. Be it food, art, technology, clothes or lifestyle, globalization prevails in all walks of life. Globalization is a generally defines as the process of interaction and integration among the people, companies, and governments of different countries. It is a process marked by unprecedented boost in international trade and investment with the support of information technology. Globalization has not only impacted environment, culture, political systems, and economic development but has also led to the emergence of a mixed global culture rooted in today’s youth. Globalization can be traced well back to the middle ages. Buying and selling of goods across nations is a historic process and is perhaps also the simplest form of globalization. Existence of the famous is Silk Road across Central Asia that connected China and Europe during the Middle Ages is an evidence of historic globalization. With the advent of technology, the commercial exchange became more rapid and embraced other aspects also. Over the years, what began as a simple trade practice became a powerful sociological phenomena. (http://www.globalization101.org/What_is_Globalization.html) Various trade and cultural policies and technological developments have spurred the cross-country trade, investment, and migration to such an extent so large that sociological experts tout it as a new phase of global economic development. For example, post 1950s, the volume of world trade has increased by 20 times, and from just 1997 to 1999 flows of foreign investment nearly doubled, from $468 billion to $827 billion. Distinguishing this current wave of globalization from earlier ones, author Thomas Friedman has said that today globalization is “farther, faster, cheaper, and deeper.” (http://www.globalization101.org/What_is_Globalization.html) Apart from government policies and business reforms, technology is the other key driver of globalization. Newer innovations and inventions in information technology, have greatly transformed the present day life. No wonder then that oriental food from China is as popular in India as in the USA and clothing styles from the west burgeon in traditional Asian markets. Globalization has had its share of controversies too. Though the supporters argue that globalization is an excellent instrument for boosting economic growth in the developing nations, the opponents of globalizations see it as a gimmick of the developed nations to boost their trade and economically capture the poorer nations. Assessing the impact of globalization on national cultures and identities is a complex task. Yet, it cannot be denied that virtually all countries in the world are now a part of a larger global system in someway or the other. "'Culture of Globalization' or 'Globalization of Culture'?" Paper presented at the annual meeting of the International Studies Association, Hilton Hawaiian Village, Honolulu, Hawaii, Mar 05, 2005 . 2009-05-26 Globalization is the buzzword which defines the present day world and has set forth the trend of a blended world culture, with the youth at its advent. Globalization may have different meaning for different individuals, societies and nations. For the present day world, globalization means interdependent integration on a global level with respect to the social, cultural, political, technological, economic and ecological levels. Globalization increases the information flow between geographically remote locations while rendering freedom for exchange of goods and capital in the global common market. It ensures an unlimited and anytime access to a broad access to a range of goods for consumers and companies and promotes free circulation of people of different nations, thereby leading to various social benefits. Globalization also unites people from different regions on issues that are globally significant such as, global environmental problems, terrorism, racism and global warming. Some of the advantages of globalization are listed below: Advantages of Globalization Goods and people are transported with more easiness and speed the possibility of war between the developed countries decreases free trade between countries increases global mass media connects all the people in the world as the cultural barriers reduce, the global village dream becomes more realistic there is a propagation of democratic ideals the interdependence of the nation-states increases as the liquidity of capital increases, developed countries can invest in developing ones the flexibility of corporations to operate across borders increases the communication between the individuals and corporations in the world increases environmental protection in developed countries increases (http://www.buzzle.com/articles/advantages-of-globalization.html) Globalization and Youth Youth have always been at the center of any sociological, historical or political change. Many famous historical movements have been pioneered and headed by the youth. The energy, determination and flexibility of the youth has made them the ideal propagators of globalization. With the help of technology and communication gizmos, the present day youth truly represents a global young generation. Thanks to technologies like television and internet, the youth today are better connected, better informed and better educated than their predecessors. According to Richard Kahn and Douglas Kellner the global youth culture is marked by complex forms of hybrid culture and identity. The duo suggests that the global exchange of products, people, culture, and identities has led to emergence of a novel dynamic media culture. This cultural matrix at the global level has had unifying as well as diversifying influences on the present day youth due to mergence of varied lifestyles and socio-cultural practices. Youth are generally perceived as the primary vehicle for propagating the growth of this new global media culture. Youth not only comprise the most media and technologically literate sector of their respective societies, but also are a popular target as consumers for multinational brands of clothes and technology. In addition, popularity of music and lifestyle promoted by of MTV, Hollywood concepts, the news content, television, and even the Internet has set the stage for a with modernized and cosmopolitan culture. This global culture is also marked by a progressive modernity, cultural reforms and emergence of newer styles. For example, take the case of popular food joint McDonalds. Youth in all corners of the world are familiar with this food chain, though the chain offers customized meals according to the taste of a particular country. This case exemplifies a unified, yet diversified global culture. The globalization of culture is most explicitly visible in the shifting nature of the relationship between the world’s youth and their sense of identity. (Solomon & Scuderi 2002:13). Youth as the part of society, are most likely to engage in a process of cultural sharing that encompasses modes of dress to language, aesthetics and ideologies. It is certain that globalization has had the maximum affect on, and has been affected most by the younger generation all across the globe. (Richard Kahn and Douglas Kellner, Global Youth Culture) Globalization, Communication and Information Technology The advent of globalization has been greatly supported by Information Technology (IT) and communication. Communication and IT are closely associated; in fact the two compliment each other to a great extent. Both IT and communication have a vital role to play when it comes to youth and globalization. Communication and IT not only facilitate globalization through various technological innovations, but also contribute towards youth awareness and global unification. With the help if mediums based on IT such as the Internet and mobiles, the world has come closer and globalization has become easier. Though the opponents of IT and globalization consider information technology as a mere tool for renewed exploitation, destruction of jobs, environmental degradation and the invasion of privacy, supports of globalization consider IT a vital tool for binding the world together by facilitating information sharing at a rapid pace. (Carla Koffel, Globalization of Youth Activism And Human Rights) While associating IT with globalization, it is important to understand that IT is not a cause of globalization. It is in fact, a medium that supports information sharing at different levels. IT has played a vital role in enhancing the performance and accuracy of varied fields ranging from science and research to media and entertainment. The advances made in the field of genetic engineering, software development and networking are some examples of how IT has set forth a progressive track. The biggest and probably the most prominent contribution of IT towards empowering communication is the Internet. Used extensively by over about 100 million people, and doubling this number every year, the Internet has increasingly become a channel for universal communication. The crucial role of information and communication technologies in stimulating globalization cannot be undermined. Additionally, the exposure of youth to these two instruments facilitates them as vehicles of propagating globalization. Interestingly, IT and communication have rendered a progressive face to globalization. To be able to understand IT and implement it, a society needs to be educated and aware. Thus, the impact runs down to the grass root level in a social structure. So much so, that lack of education and basic awareness can strongly thwart the growth of an economy or a country. The close association between IT, communication, youth and society is well established by Castells and Tyson. The duo states that development associated with information technology, globalization and society is closely dependent on the ability to effectively use advanced information and communication technologies, which in turn requires an entire reorganization of society , rather than having the skills to manufacture complex hardware and software. (Castells and Tyson, 1988, 1989). Similarly, each person need not be an IT engineer or a programmer to be able to understand and utilize technology. What one needs is the ability to align themselves well with the changing times and make the most of it. Such flexibility is strongly evident in the youth, who also have the maximum exposure to new technologies. There is a dynamic interplay of globalization, information technology and communication. This interplay is further associated with socio-cultural development and economic growth. Innovations in the filed of mobile cellular technology, satellite, broadband, fibre optic, the Internet, and other digital interactive telecommunications have further propelled sharing information on cultural, social and economic levels. (Folu F. Ogundimu) To summarize, information and communication technology are the two essential tools for economic development and material well-being in our age. Cultural and educational development requires technological development, which in turn requires economic development, which conditions social development, and this stimulates cultural and educational development once more. This can be a virtuous circle of development or a downward spiral of underdevelopment. Globalization and Fashion Development in technology, migration, and communication has greatly enhanced the exposure that to cross cultural fashion and lifestyle. Fashion has been an integral part o human society since its early days. Though fashion impacts all strata of society, youth are a softer target as it enables them to be modern, trendy and stylish. The impact of fashion on our day to day lives is extensive. Probably, not even a single day passes without us giving a thought to what to wear, or analyzing what others are wearing. Fashion within a society is rooted in its culture. It is also greatly inspired and propagated through popular entertainment media like movies. In addition, clothes endorsed by celebrities also tend to set a fashion trend. Globalization has only made fashion more popular and accessible. Interestingly, spread of fashion is also closely linked to media like television, radio and Internet. Globalization of fashion has received a great boost from mediums such as magazines, newspapers, television, radio, and the World Wide Web or Internet, that transmit information regarding latest trends in seconds, all over the globe. Globalization of fashion concepts has led to emergence of newer clothing styles that are immensely popular amongst the youth. Amalgamation of oriental Afghani lowers with western tees is the latest example of global fashion. It wouldn’t be incorrect to state that globalization of fashion has well established jeans and t-shirt as the ‘cool’ global attire for the youth across all countries. The globalization in fashion industry is further promoted by the concept of fashion weeks, wherein designers from a particular region showcase their designs for a global audience. Interestingly, these designs are based on global inspirations! Moreover, exposure through television and Internet has made the youth more aware about celebrity style icons not only in their country, but across the globe. A youth in India would probably follow Beckham or Obama as closely as an American youth would follow Amitabh Bachchan or Shane Warne. A very good example of globalization promoted by electronic medium that also encompasses social factors and fashion is the trend of making cross cultural movies. The trend has been immensely popular in India lately and several movies have been made on the experiences of Indian families based in the US or UK. The amalgamation of Indian culture with a Western society projected through such movies exemplifies how globalization has led to emergence of a new global culture. Interestingly, the protagonists in these movies are again the youth who shoulder the task of propagating this global culture further. When it comes specifically to fashion, again media has played a vital role in transforming local fashion into a global trend. The ‘war chick’ look promoted post the 2001 September 11 Twin Towers attack in New York, is an example of this. The globalization in the fashion industry is not only limited to trendy clothes; it has a consumerist angle too. Popular brands such as Nike and Pepsi leverage globalization to promote their products to a global buyer with the youth being their primary target. Conclusion To sum up, globalization, communication, IT and fashion are closely linked to each other. While globalization is a wider phenomenon, IT and communication are mediums that support it, and fashion is popular instrument that is affected by globalization. Also, fashion is closest to youth and is a softer medium to promote globalization amongst youth. Since youth have an immense attraction towards technology and fashion, their exposure to IT and its innovation has played a vital role in setting a new global culture dominated by youth. References: 1. http://science.jrank.org/pages/9031/Dress-Globalization-Fashion.html#ixzz0IOxFgFN2&D” 2. Globalisation Of Youth Activism And Human Rights, partner organisations: global youth action network (benjamin quinto,Director) and Peace Child International (David Woolcombe, President) 3. Communication globalization and security vulnerability in Africa's transitional democracies" by prof. Folu f. Ogundimu. 4. http://rel.sagepub.com/cgi/content/abstract/39/2/242 5. Haralambos et al. What is Sociology? in Sociology; Themes and Perspectives Longman, Melbourne, 1996, p. 8. 6. Davis, F. Fashion, culture, and identity, Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 1992. 7. Castells and Tyson, 1988, 1989 8. Communication for social change anthology By Alfonso Gumucio Dagron, Thomas Tufte 9. 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