2. Historical Context
Connecting young people to protests and
demonstrations is not a recent development
There are notable examples going back to the
1960s
Protest existed prior to this but was often defined
by class – the poorer working classes generally
protesting against the middle classes who were
attempting to exert control over them
http://www.dhr.history.vt.edu/modules/us/mod0
9_1960s/context.html
http://www.universitytimes.ie/?p=1703
3. France 1968
“Many saw the events as an opportunity to shake up the "old society"
and traditional morality, focusing especially on the education system
and employment. It began as a long series of student strikes that
broke out at a number of universities and lycées in Paris, following
confrontations with university administrators and the police.”
(Wikipedia)
The demonstrations also involved many striking workers
4. France 1968
“May 1968 was a political failure for the
protesters, but it had an enormous social impact.
In France, it is considered to be the watershed
moment when a conservative moral ideal
(religion, patriotism, respect for authority) shifted
towards a more liberal moral ideal” (Wikipedia)
So, are young people at the forefront of social
change?
5. Tiananmen Square 1989
“Beijing students began the demonstrations to encourage
continued economic reform and liberalization, and
evolved into a mass movement for political reform. From
Tiananmen Square they later expanded to the
surrounding streets. Non-violent protests also occurred in
cities throughout China. Looting and rioting occurred in
various locations throughout China.” (Wikipedia)
6. Contemporary examples
Student Demonstrations – 2010 & 2011
There‟s already a wikipedia page for 2010 – this
is now an historical event!
London Riots Aug 2011…although this may be
something of a misnomer! Perhaps they have
more in common with the LA riots, for example,
than with student demonstration
Why are the London Riots now considered a
„youth‟ issue?
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-15426720
http://www.natcen.ac.uk/study/the-august-
riots-in-england-#.TrMYG9OSnyA.facebook
7. Contemporary Examples
Why are young people, collectively, so
unhappy?
Factors to consider: demographics; economy;
job and/or education opportunities;
government
“Young people are not always a source of
violence…but without economic growth, job
opportunities and a sense of dignity, to many
young people – especially young men – can
make for mass discontent” (Time Magazine)
8. Technology
There was much press coverage over the use of
social networking to „organise‟ the London Riots
Technology allows for a society that is increasingly
aware, informed and connected
Web based technologies are notoriously difficult to
control – they empower individuals but disempower
those attempting to have control
Young people are generally viewed as the
demographic group that will adopt new
technologies most readily and rapidly
9. Technology
There have been two, prominent „hacker‟
groups recently – Anonymous and LulzSec
Any arrests made have, so far, only been of
male youths
The fact that it is entirely dependent on
substantial knowledge of technology frames it
as a youth movement
Is hacking the „future‟ version of youth protest?
