These may be catchphrases or titles from popular culture, statements by prominent figures, proverbs, or even quotations from the Bible. Many proverbs and more traditional sayings used by adults may be considered 'old-fashioned' and spark a flow of verbal indignation from participants. Young people demonstrate a very keen sense of their own 'political correctness' in response to sayings which encroach on subjects close to their hearts, such as, 'a woman's place is in the home' or 'children should be seen and not heard'. These phrases, used in fieldwork last year, were found to be familiar to most participants. However, young people may be more familiar with recent adaptations of phrases than their original form.
Young people have a broad awareness of popular culture and media events.
In my own research, I have found that these areas may provide successful sources of stimulation for data, though with interesting gender preferences. Female rather than male participants seem to focus on fictional culture, and particularly soap operas. There may be the opportunity to broach issues of importance in the participant's life, by referring to problems faced by characters in topical soaps and children's television programmes. Males tend towards factual accounts and hard news, although both sexes do seem to be aware of topical news stories, such as wars and criminal investigations. Importantly, the participants seem to gain comfort from their own knowledge and the common ground held with the adult researcher.