Year

2008

Degree Name

Doctor of Philosophy

Department

Faculty of Education

Abstract

In this thesis I draw on data from semi-structured interviews with eleven young people living in economically disadvantaged circumstances in Sydney, Australia to explore how these young people make a life and negotiate the discourses that operate to support and regulate them. Drawing on Foucault’s (1991) discussion of “governmentality” I develop a new analytical matrix (the matrix of regulated citizenship) to map the relationships between neo-liberal notions of individual responsible citizenship, institutional discourses of support and young people’s self practices. Through this mapping I describe the regulatory impacts of neo-liberal and institutional discourses on young people’s lives and demonstrate how forms of compliance become normalised and/or are contested through people’s self making. The matrix reflects the operation and interconnections between neo-liberal and institutional discourses of governance. It provides a more comprehensive framework for understanding young people’s lives and priorities beyond discussion of transition and risk, while also making available a new analytical tool for use in youth research.

Through my analysis I draw attention to the multiple ways that young people negotiate and construct notions of possibility and wellbeing within the context of ongoing structural constraint and increasing individualisation. In particular, I identify the critical interconnections for young people in the study between forms of self determination, social connection and finding “relevance” or a place where you feel you fit. It provides insights into how young people are represented and representing themselves within a neo-liberal society and the regulated context of support.

02Whole.pdf (1499 kB)

Share

COinS
 

Unless otherwise indicated, the views expressed in this thesis are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the views of the University of Wollongong.