Theories

Giroux (1997) - (empty category) Is the idea that youth identity is an empty category which can not be truly defined, as over time we have witnessed in movies a portrayal of the youth but from an adults point of view.

Acland (1995) - (ideology of protection) This is the idea that the youth need constant surveillance in order to be kept away from trouble for example ASBOs allows the state to have more control.

Gramsci (1971) -(cultural hegemony) This is the Idea that one social class (predominantly the middle class) who dominate society by portraying their values and lifestyles appear normal and common sense


Cohen (1972) - this is the idea that a moral panic is inflicted within society by making a certain group subject of negativeness. Essentially a threat to society so therefore their nature will be portrayed in a specific way.


McRobbie (2004) - a violence towards the working class with a real motive in order to socially reproduce. Emphasise middle class dominance

Gerbner (1986) - 'mean world syndrome' this is the idea that people who watch a lot of tv over estimate levels of crime. For example news reports, dramas, films all hold different representations of crime. This has a great influence on their perception of the world and this is called the Cultivation Theory.


In 'Eden Lake' we see teenagers are portrayed almost like monsters as we witness them murdering and behaving in a negative way. In this film teenagers are more portrayed more like brutal criminals  who will get their own way by any means rather than nuisances which tend to step out of line every now and then. The Cohen theory can be linked to this film as we  witnessed a 'moral panic' The teenagers became a threat to society and a sense of fear was inflicted within society towards teenagers.We could also apply the Gerbner theory to this film as we could say a film like this is an example of an aspect which contributes to the 'mean world syndrome'. Viewers that watch a lot of films like this will have an idea in their heads that this is how teenagers are in real life.

In Harry Brown the teenagers are portrayed to us as opponents towards any adults or elderly people. Within the film we also see the level of crime increase from verbal abuse towards adults and the use of fire arms. However it is not as gruesome as 'Eden Lake' instead we see a lot of adults/elderly people being beaten up in the film. We can link the Gramsci theory to this film as it may raise questions that, Is this really the way teenagers are in real life? or is it just an adult representation of how teenagers are? We also witness one of the most influencial teenagers being arrested and this links to the Acland theory, and raises the question that, is prison the only way teenagers can be controlled?