Youth vs Industrialization in Two Geographies: A Sociological Appraisal

Authors

Mohammad Taghi Sheykhi
Professor Emeritus of Sociology, Alzahra University, Tehran, Iran Tel: 009821 22859416

Article Information

*Corresponding author: Mohammad Taghi Sheykhi, Professor Emeritus of Sociology, Alzahra University, Tehran, Iran Tel: 009821 22859416.
Received: June 30, 2021
Accepted: July 08, 2021
Published: July 12, 2021
Citation: Mohammad Taghi Sheykhi. “Youth vs Industrialization in Two Geographies: A Sociological Appraisal”. Clinical Case Reports and Clinical Study, 4(5); DOI: 10.61148/2766-8614/JCCRCS/085
Copyright: © 2021 Mohammad Taghi Sheykhi. This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

Abstract

Industrialization has brought about increasing changes in various sectors of young people's lives in almost all societies. The most important development in this field is in the field of youth literacy and education. This process has led them to find jobs that are different from those of their parents. Similarly, the education and expertise of the youth have guided them in various sectors of industry, production, art and many more. Industrialization has revolutionized the social stratification system as far as the youth are concerned. Under such circumstances, the youth do not follow the patterns, norms and values of their past generations. Youth in developed geographies of the world have changed more than those in developing geographies. As modern values are rapidly transmitting the developing world, through science and technology through different forms of social media and the like, youth's lifestyles are changing too in less developed geographies as well. However, youth culture including the material culture such as technology, and the immaterial culture such as beliefs, values, language and the like are exposed to changes.


Keywords: industrialization; literacy and education; youth; sociology; geographies

Introduction:

Sociology appraises the youth in various dimensions ___ from social, economic, cultural and recently from industrial points of view. Young population as an influential sector of the entire population of any country, is highly attracted by industry and technology. Such a transformation while changing the attitudes and norms of the youth, contributes to the social values and social system in any geography. Such a transformation started within the youth since the beginning of the Industrial Revolution in Western Europe. Such a change gradually found its way into the other parts of the world. In this process the youth highly and intellectually changed and are still changing in an extensive manner as well. Industrialization involves an extensive re-organization of an economy for the purpose of manufacturing (Arthur, 2003). Characteristics of the early industrialization were technological progress, a shift from rural work to industrial labor by the youth, more investments in industrial structure, and more prosperity in consumer market (Sustainable

Industrialization in Africa, 2016); (Christoph, 1998); (Eric, 2003). However, as the world population is increasing to over 10 billion by the year2050, the youth population will almost increase at the same rate with special reference to Asia (WPDS, 2020).

In this discussion, we will focus on the forms and contexts in which young people grow, with an emphasis on the phenomenon of industry; That is, how young people live under the influence of industry and in the conditions of the industrial and global society, how their lives are shaped, and characteristics of this kind. Young people today make up a significant portion of any country's population, and industry has a greater impact on this population than any other social group. Likewise, the younger generation expects to enter the industry, and enjoy its advantages, and thus make a living. In the present age, in which societies have changed from agriculture to industrial and urban, the expectation has been created that in the mentioned process, industry will develop extensively and uninterruptedly; In such a way that young people are covered by industrial privileges in different sectors and in different ways. That is, to provide their minimum employment in this way. However, many countries, especially in the developing world, young people, while moving away from rural life and agriculture, have not become well acquainted with industry, or in other words, have not been provided with industrial facilities; That is, a situation that has created a kind of vacuum for them. This situation has caused unemployment, disorder, dissatisfaction and many other unfavorable conditions, especially for young people.

Method of Research:

Methodology used in the present article is of qualitative type. In that, various paradigms have been used to find out about the facts regarding pandemics during the history. Qualitative research usually studies people, events or areas in their natural settings. In finding facts for the research, the researcher engaged in careful data collection and thoughtful analysis of what was relevant. In the documentary research applied for the present research, printed and written materials were widely regarded. The research was performed as a qualitative library-type in which the researcher had to refer to the relevant and related sources. In the current research, various documents were thoroughly investigated, and the needful inferences were made. The data fed by the investigator in the present article is hopefully reliable. Though literature on pandemics is very limited, yet the author tried to investigate many different resources in order to elicit the necessary information to build up the text.

Youth and Industry:

However, young people everywhere in the world face a marginal margin in terms of their age, they also face other aspects and contexts in terms of their age. This means that following the increase in young population in countries, a significant share of them in the term Sociology is somehow marginalized. The global economy, or in other words the globalization of the economy, has led to the expansion of international trade and investment, in which many young people in different parts of the world are unemployed, or have difficulty accessing the labor market (Weisbrot: 2000). A clear example of this is China's economic prosperity, the inflow of Western capital into that country, and the consequent unemployment of young people in the West and elsewhere.

In such circumstances, many cases of deprivation and dissatisfaction appear between them. In a situation where in the present age, the industrial factor has caused many industrial goods and services to enter the communities, at the same time, not all young people can easily enjoy or access such privileges. In such circumstances, they suffer from a kind of deprivation.

Individual and collective identities and childhood experiences of young people are formed based on sexual, racial, disability, youth age, family characteristics and the situation in which young people live. Hence, the public space of the family, the facilities available, how to invest in the youth and the like, each play an effective role in shaping the identity of the youth. Among the mentioned factors, the family itself plays a very decisive role. At the same time, during the good years, following the increase of literacy in the society and among families, young people have more opportunities and more receipts; That is, a set of factors that bring them closer to the new industry and way of thinking. In recent years, many capacities of young people in different societies have been strengthened, so that the new generation has found a new identity compared to the previous generation. While industry has influenced this trend, talented and educated young people have also contributed to the prosperity and prosperity of industry.

Therefore, industry and youth have a two-way and common relationship with each other. In the absence of such a relationship, it would mean a vacuum, distance and backwardness between young people and industry. Also, the order of their birth (youth), their social differences including class, welfare and enjoyment,

Religious values, race, backgrounds related to the caste system and their minorities, etc., each have a great impact on shaping the identity of young people. Therefore, different societies should make corrections according to the mentioned indicators. Likewise, any deficiencies, discrimination and differences in these cases should be minimized, so as to create as much connection as possible between young people and industry in the general sense. Such cases have been practiced as much as possible in industrialized countries during the twentieth century, and through them the identity of the new generation has been greatly modified. Young people have entered the industry in this way, providing the dynamism and development of industry in those communities. It is noteworthy that government support in this area (in various sectors) has played an effective role.

In addition to the above, the process of industrialization of societies, globalization and similar processes, each play an effective role in shaping the personality and identity of young people. Industrial expression, communication, education, literacy, and the art born of industry all play an important role in shaping young people's personalities and creating new identities in them. One of the tools that has played a decisive role in changing the position of young people has been technology or educational technologies, which has almost created a kind of revolution in the identity of young people regardless of their racial, geographical, religious, national and similar status within them. Therefore, any growth and change among their youth is due to industrial interactions, the development of industry and the use of new culture, which is itself due to industrial development.

All such words have their own meanings in the lives of young people, socially, culturally, politically and economically. As mentioned, education and literacy, art, communication, etc. have an effective role in social, economic and cultural changes of young people. These tools have affected the expectations of young people. Changes in the expectations of young people have changed their consumption patterns, production methods and even their judgments. Thus, in the "era of industrial development", special attention should be paid to the needs of young people in various dimensions; Otherwise, all kinds of disorders and crises will appear among the youth. The consequences of industrialization are paradoxical. While the globalization of industry on the one hand has positive results and in which gender segregation and gender inequality are reduced (Meyer: 2003), on the other hand, the globalization of industry has led to a gap between rich and poor nations (Amin: 2004). ). Since the arm of industry is the young manpower, investment in this manpower must be made in proportion to the time. Being geographical, urban and rural, they invest in young people in different age groups. This type of investment has led to higher returns, higher profitability and stronger economic strength in that country.

The quality of the physical environment also plays an important role in the quality of life of young people. This means that the existence of urban and non-urban, industrial and non-industrial, agricultural and non-agricultural areas, each in its place, play a role in the quality of life of young people and affect them. Industrial societies, or in other words, industrial spaces, with all their manifestations (symbols), have greatly affected the lives of young people and their way of life, their relationships and their interactions in general. That is why even today, in the age of industry, many young people in rural areas migrate to urban and industrial areas, simply to enjoy the benefits and industrial achievements as much as possible. In this way, the quality of life of young people has been widely affected. In simpler terms, industry as a factor

It is effective in the quality of life of young people. It is also worth noting that the improvement in the quality of life of the youth of one period (one generation), also affects the quality of life of the next generation or the youth of the next generation.

Although adults themselves have a great influence on the way of life of young people, but institutions from industry (derived from industry) such as school, workplace, media and peer groups also have a great impact on the living conditions of young people. In the present era, many of these institutions in which young people spend a considerable amount of time on a daily basis, and it itself provides the means of interaction and many actions and reactions among young people, this is a major factor and impact on quality of life. It is considered youth. However, in the past and before the age of industry, young people were more role models than their families and parents. The issues that we will address below address the reasons why the changing societies of the present age and the cultural contexts in which young people travel affect how their experiences, identities, and aspirations are constructed. In general, new conditions and new social, cultural and economic structures, as influential factors, affect the personality and identity of young people.

Youth Transformation:

Industrial development has brought about many changes in various sectors of young people's lives in almost all societies. The most important development in this field is in the field of youth literacy and education. This process has led young people, both boys and girls, to find jobs that are different from those of their parents. Also, the education and expertise of the youth has guided them in various sectors of industry, production, art and the like.

The evolution of youth can also be explained in the form of changing the social stratification of this population group. This means that industry has revolutionized the social stratification system as far as youth is concerned. In this movement, young people, as in the past, do not follow the patterns and signs of their parents and superiors, but have regained their new identity by entering the industry and specialization. Therefore, the evolution of youth in this format and with this theme can be explained.

Research on youth developments in industrial societies places great emphasis on how young people transition to adulthood; That is, how they are increasingly able to transition into adulthood. The factor of industry has caused young people to use their capacities to a great extent, even to determine their future (their working life). This is despite the fact that in the past, young people were not easily placed in this situation. The industry factor has led to the specialization of young people. Therefore, how young people grow up depends on how they live in adolescence and youth. Having the facilities and facilities you need can chart a determined future for young people. In many societies in the past, such changes occurred simply and spontaneously; In it, young people followed the same path that was generally dictated to them. Whereas today, young people have more choice or choices using industrial and technological products. Therefore, they generally move and change as they wish. In the past, however, young people generally and directly and indirectly followed the example of their parents and were influenced by them. Therefore, a great change in their lives did not happen in the modern sense of the word.

In many parts of the world today, there is a wide deviation in the occurrence of such developments among young people and by them; Especially in places where educational and literacy facilities are abundantly provided. In such circumstances, even the marriage of young people is delayed. Hence, the factor of education and literacy has caused deviation in the youth; As they gain access to new fields, new ways of thinking, and more knowledge, they are in many ways different from their older family members, or in other words, from the previous generation. While this trend creates a generational gap, it also brings about a change in social stratification. Today, the mentioned set of conditions has caused marriage and family formation among young people to be delayed compared to previous periods. For example, in today's "formerly traditional Japan" society, the average age of marriage is estimated at 25 years and older for women and 30 years and older for men. Hence, the industry also brings social changes to the youth. For example, in the context of longer training, more mobility, urbanization, and greater exposure to the mass media, young people in closed (Arab) countries have gained more voting and commentary status as adults (Booth, 2002: 212).

Hence, the set of conditions mentioned or more services such as education and the like, including voting rights, etc. in such countries has brought youth. At the same time, in the Arab world, it is mainly the wealthy urban youth who are most exposed to industry. In such circumstances, new attitudes and new ways of thinking appear in them. Otherwise, other people wandering in the traditional format and network will still blame the broken western borders. This movement can be expressed and evaluated especially in gender boundaries, or as far as gender is concerned. Thus, even in a given society, those who are more literate and educated, and in other words more exposed to industry and industrial thinking, see and feel more change in them. However, other people who are not in such a situation generally criticize this change (breaking taboos).

It is noteworthy that in the conditions provided by education, social mobility, etc., they cannot 100% and as they expect, cannot choose the lifestyle (Lifestyle) related to their adult period, but in practice with difficulties and they face challenges. Therefore, while young people should be given enough attention in their age range (15-24 years old), sufficient facilities should also be provided for older people to face fewer potential deadlocks and challenges. At the same time, the way of life is constantly changing under the influence of industrialization. Lifestyle change itself means that more financial resources must always be provided to meet new needs, especially among young people; Otherwise, cases of crisis and disorder will await such societies.

Youth culture and industrialization:

Culture itself is the way of life of people (youth), and it itself includes material products such as technology and immaterial components such as norms, values, language and beliefs. Therefore, one of the tasks of culture through education is to create effective citizenship (Tyack: 2003), so education transmits culture from one generation to another. This process equips young people with the values ​​of citizenship to give their society a new shape. This process also allows for vertical mobility among young people.

 In societies where the distance between childhood (adolescence) and marriage is widening and widening, and is filled with a period or stage called "youth", this age and social group cannot easily make their choices in Employment, employment, housing, and networking are intertwined, but they engage in new forms of cultural expression and tools. Birth in a period and the gradual entry of children into adolescence, at a stage when societies face an increase in young population, which is not easily possible to meet the needs of employment, housing and other demands. This situation can be seen in many industrialized societies today. It is also worth noting that the currents of "industrialization" and "globalization" intensify the expectations and desires of young people in different societies in accordance with the existing or current culture in those societies.

Following and as a result of the processes of industrialization and globalization, today more young people are growing and increasing in urban environments; That is, they go to formal schools, prepare to work in the capitalist labor market, and use the standard elements of global youth culture (Brown and Larson: 2002). All of these conditions, in many cases, lead governments and planning systems to a kind of despair and inability. The result of such a situation is different fields of knowledge and in some cases uncultured youth in different societies.

It is noteworthy that while the literature, culture, and subcultures of youth in the West focus on working-class youth, this literature in Third World countries refers to urban and relatively affluent youth who also support elements of Western culture. Today, most young people in developing countries are looking for patterns and ways of industrial life; That is, modernism in its various forms. Likewise, a large part of the literature in these societies examines, propagates and disseminates industrial culture, as well as.

How it is transmitted to non-industrial communities. It is also noteworthy that in developing societies, urban youth are generally on the study agenda; That is, young people who are looking for modernization due to industrial achievements. At the same time, the growing commonalities in youth behavior in urban-industrial areas are emerging.

In the present era, following the process of globalization and its various consequences, young people in different parts of the world more or less follow the same common patterns, and in the type of clothing, food, tools and entertainment equipment, etc. can be seen between them. Is. Hence, industry creates a kind of integration and closeness between young people. This situation needs more supervision by officials and planners. In other words, this trend affects the culture of the youth evenly, and the result is the fading and ineffectiveness of the cultural borders, and the rapprochement of the cultural conditions of the countries, uniformity and homogeneity, and a change in the attitude and culture of the youth. At the same time, such experiences are distracting for many young people in different parts of the world; That is, they do not have access to world and industrial culture, and in some cases reject it because of cultural prohibitions.

It is also worth noting that in some cases young people in some parts of the world, despite the globalization process, are limited, and that in itself does not allow them to easily take advantage of the achievements of world culture. In such circumstances, all kinds of conflicts appear in these societies and among the youth. These complexities can be seen in many non-industrialized societies today.

In such situations, young people and adults in such societies are not only strangers to their peers in other societies, but also feel alienated and distant from many of their peers in their own countries (Brown and Larson: 2002). Industry and industry services create this gap. It is also noteworthy that the effects of industry at the macro level have created a great gap between countries with an emphasis on youth. Also, at the micro level, within communities and between different strata, those individuals who have more access to industrial products and products, there are more changes. Young people around the world are using new cultural strata and elements to challenge existing methods, and to make as many changes as possible. Cultural products and various industrial products, which are generally available to young people more than other social groups, affect young people to a large extent. Therefore, planning systems in their various urban and rural measurements must be aware of the effects of these changes, otherwise young people will show different and unexpected reactions.

Although many studies indicate that young people are active elements in the production of productive cultures, some other studies indicate that they themselves are victims of over-industrial modernization and development (Santa Maria, 2002: 171). It is also worth noting that young people have an effective role in both the production of new lifestyles and the production of new norms, and in some cases are themselves affected by the negative effects of industry and industrial development. Environmental pollution, the uncontrolled increase of means of transportation, etc., leave their effects on the youth more than others; That is, those who spend more hours each day in social and economic activities outside the residence.

Consequences of unemployment in the age of industry:

The consequences of unemployment are reflected on both individuals and society as a whole, and all of them suspend and distort the normal functioning of society. This means that unemployed people who do not accept their special employment and responsibilities at their normal and normal ages, and in other words, enter employment in higher years, lose a large amount of their productivity. The consequences of unemployment for individuals (youth) are:

Loss of identity, status, and self-esteem (self-reliance) generally gained through work

Coming. Such conditions destroy the self-confidence of the individual (individuals), and in the long run increase the morale and despair in the youth.

Poverty due to lack of access to income causes a variety of anxieties and worries in young people in adapting them to daily life.

Unemployment in the long run provides the conditions for social isolation for the people concerned.

Unemployment in the long run leads to poor health, poor nutrition and similar conditions among young people, especially in the age of industry.

These conditions affect social order in various dimensions among young people. Also, rising crime rates, in some cases suicide attempts, drug and alcohol asylum, rising divorce rates, domestic violence and the like, are among the consequences of youth unemployment in the industrial age come (Browne: 1992). Therefore, governments and planning systems have a serious responsibility to young people and their employment.

It is also important to note that the age of industry and urban society has changed many of the mindsets and expectations of the young population compared to any other time in the past. Therefore, youth employment opportunities in developing societies should be provided in the medium term. The problem that many young people face today is unemployment and, in some cases, employment, along with dissatisfaction and poor wages. For example, research in the United States shows that 13.1% of workers in that country were dissatisfied with their employment status in the early 2000s (Jensen and Slack: 2003). While temporary workers fall into this category and job classification, most of them hate this type of employment, and are generally looking for permanent and stable jobs (Parker: 1994).

Country

1985

1995

2005

2010*

USA

7.2

5.6

5.1

9.3

Canada

10.2

8.6

6

7.1

Australia

8.3

8.2

5.1

5.2

Japan

2.7

3.2

4.5

4.4

France

10.5

11.3

9.7

9.3

Germany

7.2

8.2

11.2

7.2

Italy

6

11.3

7.8

8.4

Netherlands

9.6

6.6

4.7

4.3

Sweden

2.8

9.1

7.1

8.2

England

11.4

8.7

4.8

8

Table 1: Unemployment rate between youth and adults in several selected industrialized countries from 1985 to 2010.

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics Web Site.

* The column for 2010 is approximate, and its figures are derived only from the graph.

While official and specific statistics on unemployment are published each year in developed societies, less developed countries generally do not have accurate and acceptable proportions of their unemployed population.

Conclusion:

Many studies indicate that young people are active elements in the production of productive cultures. Youth of some geographies indicate that they themselves are victims of over-industrial modernization and development of more developed world. It is worth noting that the youth have an effective role in both the production/ creation of new lifestyles and the production of new norms, and in some cases are themselves affected by the negative effects of industry and industrial development. The environmental pollution, the uncontrolled increase of means of transportation, etc. leave their effects on youth more than others.

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