Stanley Cohen's theory is based on conflict in the 1960's teenage tribes. This can be linked to any sub culture, which can be labelled as dangerous by the media. The media therefore causes moral panic. The mass media provide and maintain 'policing' the available frameworks and definitions of deviance. Deviant groups were labelled as folk devils.
Clockwork Orange is a film that was made in 1971 about a youth called Alex and his droogs. The film is set in the future of what britain would be like. They have revealed Britain as a hopeless place for teenagers and have made Britain seem like an unpleasant place to live. Alex is jailed and volunteers to take part in an experiment to solve society's crime.
The press seemed to show moral panic when mentioning this film. They used sensationalist language which mentioned copycat crimes from the films. It was reported to be extremely violent and could possibly cause more crimes in society. Youths who watched this at the time however, did not see the film as encouraging violence. They did however identify with the representation of a life in which they already lived.
Stanley Cohen's theory can be related to this film as the media/press in this instance has created moral panic whilst using 'Clockwork Orange' as a euphemism for teenage crime (to the present day it would similar to 'hoodies'). Alex and the Droogs in this circumstance would be seen as the folk devils since they are the deviants.
Jimmy is represented in Quadrophenia as a mod. His possessions help this image come across, i.e The Who poster on his wall, smartly dressed all the time and his scooter. Jimmy is disillusioned by his parents and his job, i.e not a good relationship with parents and doesn't like job, however at the end if the film, he loses his job and family and his friends aren't loyal anymore. It is only then, that he realises that there is more to life than being a mod and causing havoc. Binary opposites are shown at home and at work also as his dad calls him a 'freak' and when he is at work, he is sick in front of his boss. When he is ignored it shows clearly that the elders have no respect for Jimmy.
Kevin is a rocker and is represented through his leather clothes and motorcycle. When Jimmy acknowledges Kevin for who he is, they are both shocked as the groups mods and rockers normally hate each other. Kevin used to be in the army but didn't like being bossed around so he decided to move back to London. This shows that he is a tough man and has a mind of his own.
Steph is first represented as coming from a higher class than others. She doesn't seem to be in a group in particular but eventually becomes a mod. Steph is always found at house partys and some alleyways. This gives the audience an idea in where youth seem to hangout. Given the year, Steph is also sexually active in this film as the Pill had just been released. This shows that she has no loyalty to a certain person. With her long hair and dresses shown she is clearly more feminine than the androgynous female mods.
The alleyways and house parties show the locations of where youths may hangout. The clothes in which they are wearing also identifies the youths in a group which is still seen today (chavs, emo etc). The props used such as drugs also help reinforce the idea of youth culture as at this age, people are curious and want to have a 'good time'.
In this film, youth culture has been portrayed in a negative way as Jimmy is shown being sick in the toilets at work, they are violent like when they are shown in Brighton and that by taking drugs, the youths seem to have lost hope for a happy life, therefore turning to this type of behaviour. This shows that they live for the here and now. This film also shows binary opposites such as the adults and the youths since they seem to have no respect for one another in this film.
Stanley Cohen's theory can be linked into Quadrophenia as they are two big deviant groups, therefore showing the youth culture as folk devils. To support this theory they start a huge fight at Brighton towards the end of the film.
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