Op zoek naar het beeld van de jeugd

Samenvatting

An attack on stereotyped images of 'wild youth' in the Netherlands. Newspaper reports on youth riots which occurred in connection with pop music concerts in Dutch cities in Sep 1956 are quoted, with stereotyped phrases like 'asphalt youth,' 'soc'ly wild youth,' and 'mass youth.' It is noted that the proportions of the riots increase as the distance of the reporter from the event increases and that the behavior of certain definite youth groups is ascribed to youth as a whole. Moreover, the authorities and the public have acquired the habit of expecting trouble with youth, even if such trouble is actually improbable. The use of stereotypes indicates the existence of a real gap between youth and grownups. I. Langnas.