SUBTERRANEAN TRADITIONS OF YOUTH

In: The annals of the American Academy of Political and Social Science, Band 338, S. 102-118

Abstract

Because of tensions inherent in the modern position of youth, they have been vulnerable to a variety of deviant patterns. These patterns manifest a spirit of rebelliousness & have taken 3 major forms in US life: delinquency, radicalism & Bohemianism Each has been a subterranean tradition of US youth. The subterranean tradition of delinquency, guided by a celebration of prowess, manifests a spirit of adventure, disdain of work & aggression. The delinquent enterprise consists primarily of victimization & status offenses. Radicalism is guided by an apocalyptic vision, populism, & evangelism. The radical enterprise consists of mundane pol'al activity that to its participants seems extraordinary as a result of unconventional definitions of politics. The Bohemian tradition &beat, its modern manifestation, are committed to romanticism, expressive authenticity & monasticism. Because of the importance of expressive authenticity, Bohemianism has taken 2 major paths, frivolous & morose. The Bohemian enterprise consists of 2 interrelated features, unconventional art &unconventional personal experience. While only a small proportion of youth participates in any of these traditions, many more are vulnerable. That more do not participate & many who do participate return to conventional life seems related to the existence of conventional versions of these traditions. AA.