This prompt question is a relatively open one and your answers will vary depending on the texts that you have studied. We looked at Press Gang from 1989 (specifically episode 1 of the first series) and the film Billy Liar (1963) about which you can read more here and here.
When answering this question concentrate on the word 'representation'. This question isn't asking you to know about how youths have changed over the ages, this isn't a sociological study - it's about how UK youth's behaviour is shown, presented, REPRESENTED. So what sort of behaviour do the texts focus on? How are inter-generational conflicts resolved? How is bad behaviour presented - demonised or immaturity? What aspirations or roles do they fulfil?
Below are a few clips to get you going. Again - don't be thinking that back in 1989 (when Press Gang was out) UK youth were nicer and politer (there were some right ones back then) - it's the media representations that has changed.
Flirting in Press Gang vs Flirting in Misfits
Bad behaviour in Press Gang
Compare this to Skins/Misfits.
Attitude to adults in Press Gang vs Misfits
Have a look at this clip from Stewart Lee which answers the question from his point of view in terms of Skins compared with the television he grew up with. What's interesting is that when Lee was growing up, most TV shows aimed at teenagers fell under the Kids TV remit so were usually on around tea-time (six o'clock) rather than the post 10.00 p.m. scheduling that is used for Inbetweeners, Skins and Misfits. So it is clear that producers (such as E4) believe in order to reflect the lives of and attract teenage audiences they need something bit edgier than a kids running Youth Newspaper or the adventures of astrophysicist Adam Brake and his young son Matthew.
Other things to think about
The role of adults - suffocating in Billy Liar, understanding in Press Gang - often conspicuous by their absence in many contemporary texts.
Aspirations of young people - Billy Liar fantasises about being a general or minister, in Press Gang they want to run a serious paper - in Misfits Nathan wants to shoot himself on telly and get women.
Representation of bad behaviour - Billy 'drugs' his girlfriend in order to get her 'in the mood'. This is played for laughs - would the same be done today?
Compare the trailer for Shank with the 1970's comic Kids Rule OK. What are the similarities?
Look at this post - choose a character from a contemporary and past text and compare them against the criteria.
