1.2.1 Example Instances
Examples of youth subcultures.
1. Rockers
Originated in the 1960s-1980s in Los Angeles, rockers were known for their energetic music and rebellious attitude. The subculture celebrated musical talent and a rugged, masculine image, often linked with a love for motorcycles.
Music: Classic Rock, Rock 'n' Roll.
Style: Leather jackets, jeans, and slicked-back hair.
Values: Rebellion, masculinity, and a love for motorcycles.
Activities: Rock concerts and playing instruments.
2. Hippies
The hippie subculture emerged in the 1960s, primarily in the United States, particularly in cities like San Francisco and New York. It was a reaction to the social norms and political climate of the time, including opposition to the Vietnam War and mainstream consumer culture. Hippies are known for their advocacy of peace, love, and social change, promoting a lifestyle that emphasizes free expression, communal living, and a deep connection with nature.
Music: Psychedelic rock, folk, and classic rock.
Style: Colorful and eclectic clothing, including tie-dye shirts, bell-bottoms, and peace symbols. Accessories often include flower crowns, beads, and sandals.
Values: Peace, love, harmony, environmentalism, and anti-materialism.
Activities: Participating in music festivals, peace protests, and communal living. Engaging in spiritual practices and alternative lifestyles.
3. Mods
Originated in London during the 1960s, the mods subculture was known for its stylish appearance and affinity for modern music and scooters. The mod culture was characterized by its focus on fashion and sophistication in post-WWII British pop culture.
Music: Mod Rock, R&B, Soul.
Style: Sharp, tailored suits, often with scooters and parkas.
Values: Fashion-consciousness, modernism, and appreciation for music and style.
Activities: Rallies and scooter culture.
4. Hip-Hop Culture
Originated in New York in the 1970s and has evolved globally, with a focus on creative self-expression through music and dance. The hip-hop subculture emphasizes street-smart resilience and artistic innovation.
Music: Hip-Hop, Rap.
Style: Baggy clothing, streetwear, and often brand-centric.
Values: Urban culture, self-expression through music, dance, and art.
Activities: Breakdancing, rapping, and freestyle battles.
5. Skinheads
The Skinhead subculture originated among working-class youth in London, England, in the late 1960s. It emerged from a blend of influences, including the earlier Mod subculture, which had seen working-class youths adopt practical, durable clothing for their daily lives. The initial skinhead movement was characterized by its distinctive style: closely cropped or shaven heads, working-class clothing such as Dr. Martens boots, braces, high-rise straight-leg jeans, and button-down shirts, often in checkered patterns or plain designs.
Music: Oi!, Ska, Reggae.
Style: Close-cropped or shaven heads, practical and durable clothing such as Dr. Martens boots, steel-toe work boots, braces, and high-rise straight-leg jeans. The style is both functional and emblematic of working-class solidarity.
Values: Originally motivated by social alienation, working-class pride, and solidarity.
Activities: Initially involved social and cultural activities such as attending music events, dancehalls, and engaging in street-level solidarity among working-class youths.
6. Punks
Originated in New York during the 1970s, the punk subculture emerged as a reaction to mainstream society and music, emphasizing rebellion and anti-authoritarianism. Punks were known for their distinctive fashion and their active engagement in political and social protests.
Music: Punk Rock.
Style: DIY fashion with leather jackets, band patches, and often Mohawks or spiked hair.
Values: Anti-establishment, rebellion, and a DIY ethos.
Activities: Attending concerts, protesting, engaging in DIY activities.
7. Metalheads
The metalhead subculture emerged during the 1970s and 1980s in the USA and the UK, during the rise of heavy metal music. This period was marked by a significant evolution in rock music, with heavy metal developing its own distinct identity and cultural influence. Metalheads were initially seen as a rebellious youth culture, often confronting mainstream societal expectations and norms. Over time, the subculture evolved from a niche, countercultural movement into a widely recognized and influential part of the music industry.
Music: Heavy metal. The genre is characterized by its loud, aggressive sound, and often features distorted guitars, powerful vocals, and complex rhythms. Influential bands include Black Sabbath, Iron Maiden, and Metallica.
Style: Leather jackets, denim jeans, band t-shirts, and accessories like spiked bracelets and studded belts. The style reflects the intensity and rebellious nature of the music, often complemented by long hair and bold, distinctive personal expression.
Values: Rebellion against societal norms and mainstream culture, emphasis on individualism, and a deep appreciation for musical talent and authenticity. Metalheads value the raw, powerful expression found in heavy metal music and its associated lifestyle.
Activities: Attending metal concerts, playing musical instruments (particularly electric guitars and drums), and participating in the metal community through fan clubs, online forums, and music festivals. Engaging with metal music through album listening, and contributing to or consuming metal-related media.
8. Goths
Emerged in London during the 1980s amidst the post-punk era. Characterized by a fascination with dark aesthetics and individualistic expression, goths were initially viewed as mysterious and morose but have since become recognized for their distinctive style and commitment to personal expression.
Music: Gothic Rock, Darkwave, Industrial.
Style: Dark clothing, often black, with dramatic makeup and Victorian or punk influences.
Values: Aesthetic appreciation for the macabre, introspection, and nonconformity.
Activities: Attending Goth Nights and festivals.
9. Skaters
Developed in California during the 1990s, the skateboarding culture became a prominent part of youth identity, characterized by its laid-back attitude and focus on personal skill and creativity in skateboarding.
Music: Punk Rock, Skate Punk, Hip-Hop.
Style: Casual, often with skate shoes, graphic t-shirts, and hoodies.
Values: Freedom, individuality, and a passion for skateboarding culture.
Activities: Skateboarding and developing skate skills.
10. Ravers
Developed in Berlin during the 1990s with the rise of electronic dance music. Ravers embraced a hedonistic and community-oriented lifestyle, focusing on the dance experience and musical escapism.
Music: Electronic Dance Music (EDM), Techno, House.
Style: Bright, neon clothing, often with glow sticks and kandi bracelets.
Values: Unity, respect, love, and an affinity for dance culture.
Activities: Rave parties, dancing, attending festivals.
11. Emo
Emerged in the 1990s-2000s in the USA, the emo subculture focused on expressing deep personal emotions and experiences. It became known for its distinctive fashion and emotional intensity in music and personal style.
Music: Emo, a subgenre of punk rock.
Style: Dark clothing, often black with band t-shirts, skinny jeans, and long, side-swept hair.
Values: Emotional expression, introspection, and themes of heartache or alienation.
Activities: Attending concerts and expressing deep emotions.
12. Screamo
The screamo subculture emerged in the early 2000s in the USA, during a period of growing popularity for emo and post-hardcore music. This era saw the rise of screamo as a distinct genre within the broader emo and alternative music scenes. Screamo is marked by its raw emotional expression and intense musical style, reflecting a specific phase in the evolution of alternative music.
Music: Emo, pop-punk, and melodic hardcore. Screamo is characterized by its emotional intensity and often features a combination of screaming vocals and melodic elements. Prominent bands include Thursday, Senses Fail, and Hawthorne Heights.
Style: Dark, skinny jeans, often paired with band t-shirts, hoodies, and other forms of alternative fashion. The style reflects the emotional and intense nature of the music, with an emphasis on personal expression through a somber or edgy aesthetic.
Values: Emotional expression is at the core of the screamo subculture. It values the articulation of deep, often painful emotions through music and personal expression. Screamo emphasizes authenticity and emotional depth, with a focus on personal and emotional catharsis.
Activities: Attending alternative music events and concerts, where screamo bands perform. Engaging with the subculture through online blogs and music videos that feature or discuss screamo music and related experiences. Active participation in the music scene and fan communities.
13. Hipsters
Emerged in Brooklyn during the 2000s, hipsters are characterized by their embrace of vintage fashion and a preference for non-mainstream, artisanal products. The subculture values uniqueness and independent creativity in an urban setting.
Music: Indie and Alternative Music.
Style: Vintage or retro clothing, often with an ironic twist.
Values: Anti-mainstream, preference for independent and artisanal products.
Activities: Coffee shop hangouts, art shows, exploring vintage shops.
14. Gamers
Became prominent globally in the 2000s with the growth of online gaming and eSports. Gamers are characterized by their dedication to gaming culture and competitive play, often engaging in online communities and conventions.
Music: Varied, often tied to video game soundtracks.
Style: Casual, often featuring gaming-related apparel.
Values: Passion for video games, online communities, and competitive gaming.
Activities: Playing video games, gaming sessions, attending gaming or technology conventions.
15. Normcore
Emerged in the early 2010s as a reaction against the emphasis on high-fashion and trendiness. Normcore embraces a deliberately unremarkable style to counteract the obsession with being unique and stylish.
Music: Varied, typically mainstream or non-specific.
Style: Unremarkable, everyday clothing, often purposefully bland or nondescript.
Values: Embracing ordinary and anti-fashion aesthetics, rejecting trends and pretension.
Activities: Everyday activities with a focus on blending in rather than standing out.
16. Lumberjack
Gained popularity in the 2010s, blending urban and rural aesthetics with a focus on a rugged, outdoorsy look combined with a refined, artisanal sensibility.
Music: Varied, often related to folk or indie genres.
Style: Flannel shirts, rugged jeans, and boots, with a generally outdoorsy appearance.
Values: Authenticity, masculinity, and a connection to nature.
Activities: Engaging in outdoor activities and displaying a rugged, artisanal lifestyle.
17. E-Boys/E-Girls
Music: Lo-fi, emo rap, indie pop.
Style: An eclectic mix of 90s grunge, emo, and alternative fashion; includes dyed hair, facial piercings, and layered clothing.
Values: Emphasis on individuality, online identity, and aesthetics.
Activities: Socializing and creating content on platforms like TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube.
Emerged in the late 2010s, primarily on social media platforms like TikTok. E-Boys and E-Girls are characterized by their distinctive, often internet-inspired fashion and aesthetic, blending elements of emo and grunge with modern trends.
18. K-Pop Stans
Gained significant global traction in the 2010s and 2020s. K-Pop fans are known for their passionate support of Korean pop music and idols, often forming dedicated fan communities and participating in global fandom activities.
Music: K-Pop (Korean pop music).
Style: Fashion inspired by K-Pop idols, including bold and colorful outfits, trendy accessories, and often elaborate hairstyles.
Values: Dedication to K-Pop artists, appreciation for the genre’s music and choreography, and community engagement.
Activities: Attending concerts, participating in fan clubs, streaming music, and engaging in fan activities online.
19. VSCO Girls
Emerged in the late 2010s, associated with the VSCO photo-editing app. The VSCO Girl subculture is characterized by its emphasis on a relaxed and eco-conscious lifestyle, often highlighted by a particular aesthetic popularized on social media.
Music: Indie pop, lo-fi beats.
Style: Comfortable, casual clothing like oversized t-shirts, scrunchies, and Hydro Flask water bottles.
Values: Environmentalism, minimalist aesthetic, and self-care.
Activities: Sharing content on Instagram and TikTok, promoting eco-friendly products, and engaging in casual, laid-back lifestyles.
Sources
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