The idea of moral panic was first widly introduced by Cohen in his paper 'Fork devils and moral panics' where he examined how police attempts to control youth culture in the 1960's only succeeded in more attention being focused on the sub-culture and in it escalating in popularity.After initial clashes between the 'Mod's' and 'Rocker's' in the 1960's the media sensationalized and defined the two groups. They emphasised the differences between the two, which allowed them to be recognised and also for others to join. The 'Mod's' especially are said to have been a media creation, inspired by commercialism. The media were latter accused by many as encouraging the situation simply as they w ...view middle of the document...
Newspapers 'named and shamed' some paedophiles which lead to unrest and violence,the cases of mistaken identity were however played down by the media.The authorities did respond by looking at current registers and policies but fell short of introducing 'Sarah's Law'. This battle still continues, re-emerging and escalating each time a child is abducted.Looking back at youth culture, it is recognised that since the 1960's each generation has pushed the boundaries further, continuing until the rave/ dance culture of the 1980's. More young people than ever before adopted this sub-culture, which involved 'acid house'. This new culture, at first, was encouraged by the media; portrayed as harmless fun. Then as the drug aspect became highly publicized the whole of the scene was scandalized and a moral panic created.The youth of the day, as with their predecessors, seemed to enjoy the attention now drawn to them. It gave them credibility and their place in history.The authorities did attempt to address this panic by introducing laws to stop illegal raves; this however ended in protests and violence.Since 1995 this sub-culture has grown to an extent to which it has been integrated into the mainstream. The fact that it is mainly non-violent and harmless has again been highly publicized and this seems to have ended the panic and allowed rave culture to bec...
