|
|
Introduction We live in a changing world. One such theoretical explanation of this change taking place in the late twentieth century was that of the emergence of a risk society. A risk society is characterised by technological and scientific innovation and production, and increasing complexity, resulting in uncertainty, less structured influence and decisions to be made with unpredictable outcomes. ‘Concepts of risk society…have implications for how we understand…key concepts which underpin social sciences’ (Cieslik and Pollock 2002), and in particular have a major influence in the field of youth studies. One such concept in the field of youth studies is that of transitions, which has had much debate upon definition and usefulness in addressing youth lifestyles. To address whether this risk society forces a reconceptualisation of youth transitions, I will look at: 1) what this risk society actually means and affect it has upon young people, 2) the concept of youth transitions, and 3) what it would mean for a reconceptualisation of youth transitions, and is this what is actually required. In addressing these core issues I will endeavour to argue that due to these changes in the late twentieth century there does need to be a reconceptualisation of youth transitions, however the major concern is with what this reconceptualisaion actually looks like, rather than whether or not it is inevitably forced. Risk Society Defined The closing decades of the twentieth century saw some significant changes take place which had a major impact on society. These changes are being felt, not just on a local level, but a global level also. List changes. Some suggest that these changes illustrate the emergence of a post modern era, others have suggested Post-Fordism, Ulrich Beck rejected the idea of postmodernism and saw the world as moving into a second phase of modernity (Giddens 2001:677). In this new modernity institutions are becoming global, there is a detraditionalisation of cultural practices, families, employment and social interactions are much more unpredictable, and the old industrial society is disappearing. According to Beck, in place of this industrial society, a ‘risk society’ is emerging (1992:9), characterised by features which create a sense of, what post-modernists label as ‘chaos’, Beck would label as uncertainty. Marriage, for instance, used to be a straightforward stage in ones life transition, where as today, divorce rates are high and many choose to live together without getting married, and one must look at the risk, and without certainty of the outcome, make a decision. As science and technology advance with its many benefits also comes its risks: ‘environmental pollution, food poisoning, anxieties over medical procedures and drug treatments as well as concerns over dangerous transport systems’ (Cieslick and Pollock 2002:3), decisions on genetic modification of foods must be made without a clear understanding of what will be the final outcome and so forth. It is in this society of new global risks, detraditionalisation, and increasingly more fluid social interactions that Beck’s theory of ‘risk society’ emerges. Beck’s risk society can be divided into two ‘central interrelated theses’, one concerning reflexive modernisation and the other concerning risk (Lash & Wynn in Beck 1992:1). In order that society continues to evolve, the modernisation process must be ‘reflexive’. Reflexive in the sense that the risks and hazards associated with the scientific and technological advancement of this second modernity era have never been seen before, and the calculation of such risks can be valued as mere speculation at best. With detraditionalisation and globalisation, the continual development of technology and science, and the breaking down of barriers such as class, race and gender, individuals are forced to become more reflexive in their personal lives, in order to handle the complexities of this modern risk society. In this reflexive modernisation, time and space are no longer bound to a specific place, to face-to-face interaction, or tradition; the internet, global financial markets, the mass media, sporting events etc. all transcend boundaries of past eras. Social relations are no longer bound by locality; expertise is an example of how socials relations are no longer bound by inter-personal ties. In such a world much doubt is created within the individual, and people have ‘no alternative but to develop individualised and reflexive approaches to…life…in their search for trust and…security’ (Cieslick and Pollock 2002:4) Beck articulated risk like this: ‘the concept of risk is a modern concept.
|
