Symbolic consumption and identity in transition from child to teenager, 2000

This questionnaire survey was conducted among a representational sample of almost 12000 respondents. It covered 13 through 19-year-old pupils in all grades from junior high through high school.3 3 The questions in the survey cover a number of subjects: relation to parents and friends, school welfare, school achievements, educational and vocational plans, problematic conduct, body and selfesteem, participation in organisations, sports and outdoor activities, the use of mobile, pc and internet, politics and engagement in social issues, work and use of money. The survey was administrated by NOVA and financed by the National research Council.

The outline will be structured by these questions:
1) What are the most common areas of consumption among Norwegian teenagers?
2) On what areas do Norwegian teenagers spend most money?
3) What patterns can we find in the consumption of Norwegian youth?
4) What are the characteristics common to the respondents who claim to practice various orientations to consumption?
a) How do ”locked” categories of identity (such as social age, gender and place of habitation) influence on what teenagers claim to spend their money on?
b) How do ”open” categories of identity (spending evenings out with friends, popularity and school achievement) influence on what teenagers claim to spend their money on?
c) What is the relative impact of “locked” vs. “open” categories of identity on teen consumption?