The Young Generation of Poles and the System of the Time of Transformation in Social Reportages Printed by “Gazeta Wyborcza”

Abstract

This article is focused on the way social facts are extracted and processed by authors of the articles of “Gazeta Wyborcza” and their interpretation of the social processes that took place during the political transformation. The method of sociography is described with reference to the complex geopolitical and socio-economic situation of Poland. The influence of post-transformational government system on citizens’ individual lives and collective existence of young generation of Poles is analyzed.  I based my descriptions and assessments of the transformational system on original texts published by “Gazeta Wyborcza” in the period of 1992-2004. Their analysis allowed me to put forward research hypotheses and then, after verification, to come up with a conclusion. The choice of reportages was based on the presence and domination of a youth character placed by authors in the heart of transformational changes. Texts (except for reportages of Mariusz Szczygieł, who actually does not write about young people) present dilemmas and problems of young Poles, located in the melting pot of transformational changes that have been still taking place. I focus a lot on youth subcultures, which are considered an initial stage of youth rebellion and source of collective actions undertaken by young characters. Basing this article on source materials (written reportages - in press) increases its attractiveness and cognitive values. The aim of this article is to encourage potential readers – students, representatives of other social groups as well as qualified researchers – to consult the cited texts.