The Politics of Social Discourses about Youth in New Zealand 1950-1965 and 1990-2005 By Jean-Christopher Somers A thesis submitted to the Victoria University of Wellington in fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy Victoria University of Wellington 2015 1 Contents Chapter 1 Introduction ............................................................................................................................. 9 1.1 The importance of context ................................................................................................................. 9 1.2 Scope and Hypothesis ....................................................................................................................... 15 1.3 Sources and Limitations .................................................................................................................... 19 1.3 Chapter outline ................................................................................................................................. 21 Chapter 2 Theory and Methodology ....................................................................................................... 25 2.1 Revisiting Foucault ............................................................................................................................ 25 2.2 A Strategic View of Power ................................................................................................................. 28 2.2.1 Reconceptualising neoliberalism and the welfare state ............................................................ 31 2.2.2 Rethinking class, gender and ethnicity ...................................................................................... 35 2.3 Understanding the Historical Process ............................................................................................... 39 2.4 Discourse ........................................................................................................................................... 42 2.5 Conclusion ......................................................................................................................................... 45 Chapter 3 Family and Youth 1950-1965 ................................................................................................. 47 3.1.1 Youth, Family and the Nation ........................................................................................................ 49 3.1.2 Enemies within ............................................................................................................................... 51 3.1.3 Parenting in the 1950s ................................................................................................................... 61 3.2.1 Gender ........................................................................................................................................... 67 3.2.2 Class ............................................................................................................................................... 70 3.2.3 Ethnicity ......................................................................................................................................... 73 3.3 Conclusion ......................................................................................................................................... 75 Chapter 4 Youth and School 1950-1965 ................................................................................................. 77 4.1.1 Secondary Schooling for Some ...................................................................................................... 79 4.1.2 Discipline or Development ............................................................................................................. 81 4.1.3 The standards debate ............................................................................................................. 87 4.2.1 Class ............................................................................................................................................... 94 3 4.2.2 Gender ........................................................................................................................................... 98 4.2.3 Māori ............................................................................................................................................ 103 4.3 Conclusion ....................................................................................................................................... 106 Chapter 5 Youth and Society 1950-1965 .............................................................................................. 109 5.1.1 Rock 'n' Roll .................................................................................................................................. 110 5.1.2 Sex and Sexuality.......................................................................................................................... 115 5.1.3 Juvenile Delinquency ................................................................................................................... 121 5.2.1 Class ............................................................................................................................................. 131 5.2.2 Gender ......................................................................................................................................... 136 5.2.3 Ethnicity ....................................................................................................................................... 139 5.3 Conclusion ....................................................................................................................................... 143 Chapter 6 Family and Youth 1990-2005 ............................................................................................... 145 6.1.1 The Ideology of Parenting ............................................................................................................ 147 6.1.2 Skills of Parenting ......................................................................................................................... 154 6.1.3 Parenting as a Solution ................................................................................................................ 158 6.2.1 Class ............................................................................................................................................. 162 6.2.2 Ethnicity ....................................................................................................................................... 164 6.2.3 Gender ......................................................................................................................................... 169 6.3 Conclusion ....................................................................................................................................... 172 Chapter 7 Youth and School 1990-2005 ............................................................................................... 175 7.1.1 Educating Capital ......................................................................................................................... 176 7.1.2 Skill and Knowledge ..................................................................................................................... 180 7.1.3 The Discipline of Skills .................................................................................................................. 187 7.2.1 Gender ......................................................................................................................................... 190 7.2.2 Ethnicity ....................................................................................................................................... 196 7.2.3 Class ............................................................................................................................................. 201 7.3 Conclusion ....................................................................................................................................... 205 Chapter 8 Youth and Society 1990-2005 .............................................................................................. 207 8.1.1 Hip Hop ........................................................................................................................................ 207 8.1.2 Sex and Sexuality.......................................................................................................................... 210 8.1.3 Delinquency and Crime ................................................................................................................ 216 8.2.1 Class ............................................................................................................................................. 221 8.2.2 Gender ......................................................................................................................................... 227 4 8.2.3 Ethnicity ....................................................................................................................................... 231 8.3 Conclusion ....................................................................................................................................... 240 Chapter 9 Conclusion ............................................................................................................................ 241 Bibliography .........................................................................................................................................