When the consumers’ society goes to school: an essay on young condition in high school.

Abstract

ABSTRACT

The current essay has the aim of reflecting upon a goods consuming culture incidence, as identified by several authors, in the meaning constructions by young and adolescents from high school. Taking as reference the philosopher Hannah Arendt’s, the sociologist Zygmunt Bauman’s and the psychoanalyst Jurandir Freire Costa’s perspectives, the authors tried to make analyses and interpretations, which combined with an educational view of contemporary school context, collaborated in the comprehension of young lack of interest in classroom activities.  In particular, from the behavior elements presented in a consumer society, it was outlined current sceneries in the Brazilian high school crises considering young and adolescents. The study concludes that, according to the present behavior requirements, given in a culture organized around the consumption, the young condition presented in schools has seemed resistant to meaning’s construction that considers high school learning inserted in a long term project. As a result, there is a predominance of an amusement culture in school spaces.

Keywords: youth; adolescence; high school; consumption.