Adolescents, with respect to consumption and the symbolic self, are in a crucial period of identity formation. Music is significant in this respect as it has been described as a catalyst for individuals seeking to construct the ‘self’ and can play a central role in forming an identity. This paper seeks to explore the ways in which adolescent music use and consumption facilitates a greater understanding of identity formation and psychological or peer group practices. Twenty four in‐depth interviews were conducted with 12 adolescents over a 6–12 month period. All adolescents were interviewed twice with a view to observing changes in music consumption practices. The author adopts the terms of insiders, regulars and tourists to illustrate the different characteristics of adolescent music consumers in the context of their varying levels of investment and commitment. Initial findings demonstrate that music is used to build social capital, to create boundaries and to enhance social inclusion and exclusion. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
PurposeThis paper seeks to understand the significance and role that music plays in adolescent socialization with a view to developing better segmentation and targeting of this fickle and demanding group of consumers.Design/methodology/approachThe study adopts a qualitative approach that attempts to get as close to the teenagers as possible – thus teenagers design and develop their own questions and interpret their own data.FindingsThis research provides an insight into the use and consumption of music at the time of the study. The data collected focus on what is important to the teenagers (typically what music “means” and the experiences it creates) and does not center on method of purchase.Originality/valueWhere previous studies have considered type (genre) of music consumed and have focused on what is important to the researcher, this study considers youth use and consumption of popular music using teenagers to interview their friends and to interpret their findings.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.
hi@scite.ai
10624 S. Eastern Ave., Ste. A-614
Henderson, NV 89052, USA
Copyright © 2024 scite LLC. All rights reserved.
Made with 💙 for researchers
Part of the Research Solutions Family.