Sociologists have shown that young people are often rendered societal 'folk devils'—portrayed as rejecting traditional values, and thus as a threat to the social order.

Evidence

Folk devils? Perceived lack of traditional values explains youth … (ScienceDirect)

corroborated: 2 independent passages support this claim
XREF: connects to: The Lawrence case lacked essential elements for a moral panic. — Cohen, Stanley, Folk devils and moral panics: the…, 40; Folk devils are depicted with contradictory stereotypes that shape public perception. — Cohen, Stanley, Folk devils and moral panics: the…, 261; The creation of folk devils can kickstart a moral panic, with violent youth subcultures as the folk devils. — Folk Devils and Moral Panics (Cohen 1972) (+3 more)

Youth deviant groups create cultural friction during social change. (similarity 0.87)
The creation of folk devils can kickstart a moral panic, with violent youth subcultures as the folk devils. (similarity 0.87)
In his study, the folk devils were the violent youth subcultures, ‘mods and rockers’. The creation of folk devils can kickstart a moral panic. (similarity 0.85)
Fuelling moral panics and creating folk devils are blunt public health tools with potential for consequences that bludgeon the vulnerable. (similarity 0.80)
The Witch Trials exemplify how a minority group can be identified as folk devils to generate fear and social control. (similarity 0.79)
Societal control culture responds differently based on stereotypes of deviance. (similarity 0.78)

Youth deviant groups create cultural friction during social change. #expands (0.70) — Cohen, Stanley, Folk devils and moral panics, 754