Finnish youth cultural research and its relevance to youth policy

Abstract

This article intends to outline major characteristics, theoretical and empirical traditions, and ideologies and discourses related to Finnish youth cultural research. Historically speaking, the cultural socialization of the young Finnish nation after independence was a very special national project: ‘young’ citizens were socialized in a patronizing and enlightening manner to become true and loyal Finns. Diverse popular and youth cultural phenomena have formed a central pillar in the formulation of Finnishness and the national identity of Finnish youth. Also academic interest in popular cultures arose rather early. In this article, Finnish youth cultural research is described along two orientations, namely socio-politically orientated youth studies and more (post-)structurally orientated cultural studies. It is argued that the distinguishing feature of the Finnish youth research field is its somewhat ambivalent status in the crossroads between these two orientations. The article also analyses the complex role of youth researchers as political actors, and emphasizes that one of the special features of Finnish youth research is its close connection with those active in the field of youth policy.