Taking Account of The Macro in the Micro-Politics of Family Viewing - Generational Strategies

Abstract

This article uses Bourdieu's concept of habitus, to explore how external discourses relating to young people and television, enter into the micro-politics of family viewing. It is based, primarily, on observation data collected by informants in the homes of young people. These data reveal the tactics and strategies that are used both by the young people and by their ‘parents’ to control the viewing process. It is possible to tentatively identify the projection of discourses of vulnerability onto young people who, in turn, attempt to position themselves as competent viewers evoking public discourses around youth and media savvy. Within the family setting these viewers develop a ‘sense for the game’ of viewing which informs the strategies they use to increase their control of the viewing experience.