With reference to the sociological literature on youth, discuss Davis (1990) claim that the continuing scrutiny of adolescence rests on a generalised image that constructs them as a social problem.

In this essay, I propose to examine why adolescents tend to be viewed by elements of society as a social problem, in particular Davis (1990).  It will investigate the adolescence stage, and examine why society thinks the way they do, in addition to exploring what adolescents do to reinforce this image.  It will examine peer groups, parents, schooling, and the wider society, and will collaborate statements from sociologists and psychologists alike, in order to establish how and why adolescence is a life stage which conflicts with the expectations that society hold about them.

Throughout our lives we develop through various different stages of development, from birth, right through to death, adolescence, however, is just one of these stages….(short extract)