Youth subcultures. Features and reasons for the emergence of youth subcultures Unusual subcultures of youth

Everyone remembers goths and punks, and many were them themselves - then, in our forever lost 2007. What about modern teenagers? We'll tell you who else, besides hipsters, sets the tone in the 2010s generation.

How are we different?

Youth subcultures as we know them emerged after World War II, when teenagers finally had the money and time to search for self-identity. In the 50s and 60s there was a real boom in subcultures, many of which still exist today in one form or another (for example, or).

But with the advent of the Internet, a lot has changed. If earlier a real rocker remained a rocker always and everywhere, now the subculture is a mask that can be put on and taken off. Tonight you discuss Palahniuk’s latest novel with hipsters - and tomorrow you put on a leather jacket and combat boots to go to a rock concert in a basement bar in the company of punks - and no one judges you, because fragmented entry into the subculture is now the norm.

Information about subcultures has become available to everyone, and often their image becomes the subject of parodies

And the Internet blurs age boundaries. Previously, it was possible to “get over” a subculture in the ten-year period between the end of childhood and the final beginning adult life. Now even a child has almost unlimited access to information and can choose the model of behavior that is close to him, and adults do not want to give up their usual images. As a result, the subculture includes not only teenagers, but also children and very mature people.

New subcultures do not correspond to the list of characteristics that previously defined subcultures. This even gives some researchers a reason to say that subcultures no longer exist and they have been replaced by “cultural mixes.” Nevertheless, let’s try to figure out what hasn’t died out yet.

Vanillas (vanilla)

This specific subculture appeared in the early 2010s and is widespread mainly among teenage girls. The name came either from the love of clothes in vanilla shades, or from the love of sweets, or goes back to the title of the film “Vanilla Sky”. Their worldview is based on three ideas. Firstly, it emphasizes femininity, tenderness, weakness (love of lace, pastel colors, heels and light makeup). Maybe this was a reaction to the image being imposed on girls strong woman. Or maybe the girls who grew up in Soviet-style families (where the mother first worked alongside her father at the factory, and then cooked borscht at home for the same amount of time) felt that the new time gave them the opportunity to live a life different from their mother’s.

A common image of a “vanilla” girl

The second feature is a love of depression and hidden tragedy. Any subculture in one way or another rebels against society, but among vanilla subcultures it is a “quiet rebellion” - withdrawal into oneself, withdrawal from society. And finally, Vanillas choose a special type of clothing. Often this is a print with the British flag or the inscription “I love NY”, more glasses, a sloppy bun of hair. It is believed that vanilla are the predecessors of the well-known hipsters.

The word “vanilla” has become a common noun and means everything sweetly tender. And vanilla beans themselves are a constant subject of jokes on the Internet.

Tumblr girl (web punk)

They are called “Tumber Girls” because they copy and distribute their style on the Tumblr website. Black crosses against a background of space, thin black collars, high-soled flat shoes, short black circle skirts, wide-brimmed hats - you've probably seen more than one similar picture. Unlike the subcultures of the past, they don’t have to bother with sewing clothes by hand or getting them from exotic places - Tumblr girls have many themed VKontakte stores at their disposal. And since webpunk is a combination of the real and the virtual, the photo should be decorated with pixel art, glitter, unicorns, rainbows and Windows backgrounds.

If vanilla people consider depression to emphasize their “otherness,” then web punk says: depression is an absolutely normal state in this world full of pain. You can (and should!) make witty jokes about your depression. Do all your talents come down to eating pizza, watching TV series and sleeping? Great, you've been accepted into this company.

Of course, like any subculture, web punk is stereotypical, and you most likely will not find truly witty jokes, interesting images and deep thoughts there. On top of that, Tumblr girls are often criticized for romanticizing passivity, laziness, and other bad things.

Tumblr girls' style of making pictures with captions on a beautiful background has become the subject of countless parodies on the Internet.

Korean wave

The Korean Wave is a subculture made up of fans of South Korean musical groups. The name “Korean wave” was invented in China, where this wave, naturally, reached much earlier. Have you seen how some friend of yours reposts a picture on the wall with several Asian faces, indistinguishable to the untrained eye, and the caption “Someone is so cute! And someone is insulting him again! It’s okay, someone will show them!”? This is exactly it.

Subculture is understood as part of public culture, different from the one that prevails in society in this moment. Youth subcultures unite everyone who has something in common and believes in certain ideals. Some variants of such associations are understandable only to a narrow circle of dedicated members.

It is common for every person to change and learn new things. This is especially acute during the period of growing up: the desire to find their individuality and change the world pushes young people to search for themselves and the meaning of life. This is how youth subcultures appear. Girls and boys unite based on interests, creating separate movements that differ in lifestyle, clothing, and behavior.

The function of such social associations is to provide young people with the opportunity to realize themselves and stand out from the crowd, to find new friends who would understand, accept them for who they are and share their views.

1950s

The history of subcultures goes back several decades and has three waves of rise. The first of them dates back to the 1950s. During this period, " dudes" - outrageous urban youth, who got their name for their clothing style, behavior, features dance moves. Young people loved jazz and rock and roll, and strived for freedom of expression.

Such a youth movement was not at all approved by the Soviet state. The “hipsters” were charged with “worship before the West”; they were persecuted and condemned in every possible way by the authorities, and therefore such a subculture soon ceased to exist.

1960-1980s

The second wave falls in the late 60s, early 80s. It was influenced by both internal and external conditions. Youth subcultures of this period are characterized by:

The youth of this period loved music and rock and roll, and drugs were common. The new movement became deeper and more lasting.

At the end of 1979, the Soviet hippie subculture appeared, called “ System" It was updated every 2-3 years and included both punk metalheads and not-so-law-abiding lubbers.

1986

The third wave of youth movements began in 1986. Youth subcultures are recognized as officially existing and are called “ alternative».

Main types of youth subcultures

Subculture name Origin time Peculiarities
1960 Young people opposed philistine life, professed the ideas of “non-resistance to evil through violence,” and adhered to pacifist views. A characteristic feature was a penchant for creativity.
1960 Rastafarians are characterized by a love of marijuana and reggae. They do not accept tobacco and alcohol, do not eat meat and will introduce healthy image life. They are engaged in art, and their symbol is “dreadlocks” and a red-yellow-green cap - “Latifika”.
Punks 1970 Punks do not recognize any authority and are anarchists. This explains their symbol - the letter “A”. On the street, a punk immediately stands out from the crowd, thanks to the peculiar “Mohawk” hairstyle (stripe long hair that stand vertically upward on a completely shaved head).
Goths 1970 The Goths use Egyptian, Celtic and Christian symbolism, as well as occult symbols - pentagrams, death symbols or eight-pointed stars. They always wear special makeup. With the help of cosmetics they give the face a deathly pale, almost white shade. Eyes are outlined with black eyeliner, lips and nails are also painted black.
1980 This style is characterized by crying and moaning, squealing and whispering that breaks into a scream.
Majors 1980 Young people belonging to this subculture live for their own pleasure and have no shortage of money. They have best clothes and shoes that you can get in Soviet time almost impossible, as well as free access to the parent's car.
Yuppie 1980 This is a youth subculture whose members have highly paid jobs and lead an active business lifestyle. They have an appropriate clothing style, they know a lot about fashion, and they take care of their bodies.
Hackers 1990 They are characterized by individuality and a lack of corporate spirit, since freedom is the most important thing in life. They disable other people's websites and servers, crack passwords and obtain secret information.

They belong to one of the oldest youth subcultures. It was formed in the mid-60s of the 20th century in San Francisco.

The youth spent their time in discussions and polemics, played music and indulged in free love. Alcohol and drugs at parties were considered commonplace.

Hippies have no attachment to home; they constantly travel without any means of subsistence. They worship freedom, love flowers and walking barefoot. The ideas of this movement are still alive.

This subculture is somewhat similar to hippies. Rastafari is a special religion of the universal god Jah. Participants in this movement are convinced pacifists who categorically condemn racism.

Speaking about the features of the Rastafarian movement in Russia, we can say that such associations mainly include young fans of reggae music.

Punks

This subculture began its development in the mid-1970s of the 20th century in England—it was during this period that the country experienced a severe economic crisis. Young people lived under the motto: “No future!” and behaved in strict accordance with the low standard of living. They are absolutely sure that it is absolutely impossible to change their life for the better, and therefore they have given up on life, career and education.

The clothing style of such young people corresponds to their way of thinking and behavior - preference is given to stale T-shirts and jeans with holes and scuffs. The picture is complemented by a love of drinking, fighting and drugs due to the lack of other hobbies.

In 1979, the punk movement penetrated into the USSR. One of its first adherents were famous rock musicians of St. Petersburg Andrei Panov and Viktor Tsoi.

Goths

The date of birth of Gothic is considered to be the end of the 70s of the 20th century. The basis of this subculture was post-punk. The first goths adopted a lot from the punks, making black the main color of their clothes (there could be minor splashes of white or red). Silver jewelry complemented the clothes.

The very first formations included young people who were fans of gothic musical groups. Subsequently, the Goths had own style life, they acquired their own mentality and hierarchy.

The Goth subculture still exists today. The image of movement participants is very complex and is formed from specific clothes, shoes, accessories, hairstyles and makeup.

The emo movement, which is part of the youth subcultures, is also associated with music. The style of music corresponds to the name of the movement, which means "emotional". The melody is based on strong emotions that are acutely felt in the vocalist's voice.

The music of this movement has several types:

Fans of such music stand out in separate subculture and are called emokids. Characteristic external feature such youth are wearing bright clothes, hairstyle and makeup.

Majors

During the period of “developed socialism” a new direction appears among young people. “Golden” boys and girls are not interested in everyday problems and the difficulties of life, since all troubles are quickly and quietly resolved by their parents. This subculture originated in the late seventies and is close to yuppies or kogars.

They flaunt fashionable equipment and foreign technology. Majors move through life easily, love and know how to relax (often at the official dacha given to their parents). They are among the few who can travel abroad with relatives to live in capitalist countries.

The level of the major is related to the position of his parents. Personal achievements at school or university are also important. He communicates only with his equals, but simply does not notice the rest, or treats them patronizingly or contemptuously.

Yuppie

Such young people do not demonstrate their success, do not flaunt their wealth and do not waste money. They are restrained and self-confident; strict, perfectly tailored suits speak for themselves.

The life of a yuppie is known only to a narrow circle of insiders and is often described in magazines published at their own expense.

Hackers

This is a youth subculture that includes programmers and computer users, who are characterized by an offensive line of behavior on the Internet.

Problems of subcultures

Attitude to a certain movement - subculture - is an attempt to find oneself, a step towards growing up and understanding the world. Some teenagers subsequently easily return to their usual way of life in society, while others, on the contrary, experience difficulties in communicating with the outside world.

Drugs are a serious problem and are often easily distributed among young people. Particularly impressionable people, under the influence of the atmosphere of a certain subculture, can commit suicide. Such young people should be under the supervision of more reasonable and “down-to-earth” comrades or adults.

Youth subcultures have always existed and will always exist. Some of them quickly dissolve in time, others pass through the years to the present day. It is important that fragile young minds have the support and understanding of their elders, who are ready to help in difficult times and direct their energy in a creative direction.

Subculture(English)sub – under andculture - culture)- a group of people united by a common system of values, behavior patterns and lifestyles that differ from dominant culture to which they belong.

Subculture- part of public culture that differs from the prevailing one. In a narrower sense, the term means social groups of people - carriers of a subculture.

From the point of view of cultural studies, a subculture is such associations of people that do not contradict the values traditional culture, but complement it.

A subculture may differ from the dominant culture in language, behavior, attributes, clothing, etc. The basis of a subculture can be musical genres and styles, lifestyle, certain Political Views. Some subcultures are extreme in nature and demonstrate protest against society or certain social phenomena. Other subcultures are closed in nature and strive to isolate their representatives from society. Developed subcultures have their own periodicals, clubs, and public organizations.

The youth subculture is created by young people themselves for young people, it is esoteric, its specific variants are understandable only to those in the know and initiated. Youth subculture is an elitist phenomenon, few young people go through it and, deviating from traditional culture, is actually aimed at including young people into society.

In 1950, American sociologist David Reisman, in his research, developed the concept of a subculture as a group of people who deliberately choose the style and values ​​​​preferred by a minority. A more thorough analysis of the phenomenon and concept of subculture was carried out by Dick Habdige in his book “Subculture: The Meaning of Style.” In his opinion, subcultures attract people with similar tastes who are not satisfied with generally accepted standards and values.

The Frenchman Michel Mafessoli in his writings used the concept of “urban tribes” to refer to youth subcultures. Viktor Dolnik in his book “Naughty Child of the Biosphere” used the concept of “clubs”.

In the USSR, the term “Informal youth associations” was used to designate members of youth subcultures, hence the slang word “informals.” The slang word “party” is sometimes used to refer to a subcultural community.

The history of informal organizations in our country can be divided into three distinct “waves”. It all started with the appearance in the 1950s. “hipsters” - shocking urban youth who dressed and danced “stylishly”, for which they received the contemptuous term “hipsters”. The main accusation that was brought against them was “worship before the West.” The musical preferences of the “hipsters” are jazz, and then rock and roll. The state’s tough position on dissent in those years led to the fact that after some time of semi-underground existence, the “hipsters” quickly disappeared.

The “second wave” was determined by both internal and external conditions - the youth movement acquired an important component - rock music. It was during this period (late 60s - early 80s) that most youth associations began to acquire the features of “classical informality”: apoliticality, internationalism, focus on internal problems. Drugs penetrated the youth environment. The movement of the seventies was deeper, broader and longer lasting. It was in the 1970s. The so-called “System” arises - the Soviet hippie subculture, which was a whole conglomerate of groups. The “system,” being updated every two or three years, absorbed punks, metalheads, and even criminogenic lubers.

The beginning of the “third wave” of youth movements can be considered in 1986: the existence of informal groups was officially recognized, the topic of “informality” became a sensation. These associations can also be called “alternative”.

Typology of youth subcultures:

1. Politicized subcultures: actively participate in political life and have a clear ideological affiliation;

2. Ecological and ethical subcultures: engaged in the construction philosophical concepts and fight for the environment;

3. Non-traditional religious subcultures: mainly a passion for Eastern religions (Buddhism, Hinduism);

4. Radical youth subcultures: characterized by organization, the presence of older leaders, and increased aggressiveness (criminal youth groups, skinheads);

5. Lifestyle subcultures: groups of young people forming their own way of life (hippies, punks);

6. Subcultures based on interests: young people united by common interests - musical, sports and others;

7. Subculture of “golden youth”: typical for capital cities and focused on leisure (one of the most closed subcultures).

Internet resources:

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Youth subcultures are not a new phenomenon, but, oddly enough, they are uncharacteristic for Russia. It came to us from the West, after some changes took place in the country, including the collapse of the “Iron Curtain” (read more about this and what subcultures are). Today there are many subcultures, and their list is regularly updated.

The study of types of youth subcultures began in the 70s of the 20th century. I suggest you familiarize yourself with some modern typologies.

Based on the principle of unification

The most popular classification proposed by L. V. Kozilova:

  1. Political informal associations.
  2. Religious associations.
  3. Professional and quasi-professional associations (common cause and interests).
  4. Sports and gaming associations.
  5. Cultural associations (creativity, cognition, analysis).
  6. Gender associations (gender, other demographic characteristics).
  7. Ethnic associations and communities ( common origin or an imitation of it).
  8. Criminal (community of criminal interests).
  9. Youth.
  10. Subcultural (belonging to a subcultural environment).

By types of communities of their carriers

V. Sokolov and Yu. Osokin identify the following subcultures:

  • gender and age,
  • social-professional,
  • professional-corporate,
  • leisure,
  • religious,
  • ethnic,
  • territorial,
  • local.

By time of occurrence

T.V. Latysheva identified the following subcultures:

  • past (dudes, teddy boys);
  • reanimated (hippies, goths);
  • modern (role-players, otaku).

According to the principle of formality

Formal and informal youth groups can be distinguished.

Formal ones include youth associations officially registered with justice institutions:

  • political youth associations (the youth parliament under the State Duma of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation, the People's Democratic Youth Union (NDYM), the “OUR” movement, “STEEL”, etc.); All-Russian public non-political youth associations (“Russian Youth Union”, “Student Self-Government”, “Russian Student Teams”, “It’s a Small World”, etc.);
  • uniting people with disabilities health (“Perspective”, “New Opportunities”, “First Russian Internet portal for disabled people”, etc.);
  • youth human rights associations (“Balance”, “New Perspectives” Foundation, etc.);
  • environmental youth associations (“Green Sail”, “Forest and We”, “Friends of the Baltic”, etc.);
  • religious youth associations (“Common Cause”).

Informal youth groups include those that are not legally registered or prohibited by law:

  • extremist (nationalists, vandals, religious extremists, etc.);
  • aggressive movements (gopniks, punks, etc.);
  • socially dangerous and criminal groups (illegal para-religious groups (sects), “black trackers”, destructive mimics).

DIY principle

D. V. Wolf classifies subcultures according to the principle of participants’ involvement in the development of their subculture.

Passive

For example, otaku, furries, metalheads, goths. Representatives of passive groups do not create something new, but imitate what exists, sometimes elevating it to a cult. More often we're talking about about some work of art, something creative, or a specific genre or style of art. Members of a passive subcultural group blindly imitate their “idol” in behavior, speech, clothing, etc.

These groups do not have a social or political character. They don't have their own philosophy. There is only a desire to repeat something or someone. These are the ones who express themselves. Representatives of such groups are:

  • listeners,
  • consumers,
  • spectators,
  • fans,
  • fans.

Active

Active subcultures include those whose representatives themselves create and develop their own culture, participate in it and actively influence society. Moreover, in turn, active groups can be divided:

  • for those who are physically active (skaters, snowboarders, surfers, roller skaters, trialists, parkour athletes, bikers, as well as all extreme youth groups);
  • active mentally (beatniks and members of literary associations).

Active groups can be divided:

  • for reproductive purposes (role-players and re-enactors, music lovers);
  • productive (hippies, punks, metalheads, rockers, indie, graffiti, lito).

In relation to society

G. A. Nigmatulina identified tolerant subcultures (bikers, breakers, rappers), nihilistic (majors, beatniks), negative groups (hippies, punks), aggressive (skinheads).

  • Representatives of tolerant groups try to distance themselves as much as possible from outside world and not express your attitude towards him.
  • Nihilists show their lifestyle and values, but do not oppose it to generally accepted norms, but present it as an alternative.
  • Negative youth express dissatisfaction and disgust with the generally accepted culture, but do not try to destroy it.
  • Representatives of aggressive groups directly promote non-acceptance main culture society and express their attitude through open protests.

As a way of self-expression

I. Yu. Sundieva considers any subculture as an amateur activity (cultural, political, social) and a way of self-expression. And it highlights an aggressive subculture, shocking, alternative, social and political.

  • Aggressive subculture has a cult physical strength(tough confrontation between us and them) and internal hierarchy.
  • Shocking subculture involves self-expression through appearance, a challenge to established norms and rules.
  • Alternative culture represents the development of behavior, leisure activities, and lifestyles that differ from the generally accepted ones.
  • Social culture has a goal in the form of solving specific social problems (ecological, ethnocultural and charity movements).
  • The political subculture has its own ideas and is aimed at changing social situations in the country in accordance with these ideas.

By type of interests (Yu. V. Monko and K. M. Oganyan)

  • Musical (ravers, rockers, breakers, Beatlemaniacs, metalheads, rappers).
  • Intellectual (Tolkienists, archaeologists, Russians).
  • Religious and philosophical (neo-Christians, Pushkinists, Buddhists).
  • Sports (fans, roller skaters, bikers).
  • Computer (hackers, administrators).
  • Countercultural (hippies, punks, dudes).
  • Destructive (lubers, gopniks, skinheads, fascists).

Based on the principle of individual inclusion

I offer my classification of youth subcultures based on the principle of inclusion young man into the subculture and the scope of its influence on the life of the individual.

Superficial subcultures

Characteristic is external shockingness, exclusively external self-expression. Representatives do not have a specific philosophy, rules, attitudes or values. As a rule, such subcultures are not dangerous. These include:

  • freaks,
  • hipsters,
  • cosplayers.

Subcultures of belief

Subcultures of conviction do not affect a person’s appearance, but have a great influence on his worldview and behavior. They may have their own rules, principles, and guidelines. Such subcultures can create threats and problems to society. These include:

  • hackers and crackers;
  • gamers;
  • pagans and neo-pagans.

Subcultures of deep inclusion

Subcultures of deep inclusion of an individual have a specific philosophy, worldview, ideas, and try to achieve them (by legal and/or illegal means). At the same time, they have external signs of belonging to one movement or another. May evolve into subcultures of worship. These include:

  • hippie,
  • punks,
  • goths,
  • Rastafarians.

Subcultures of worship

Subcultures of worship (fanaticism) tend to completely cover all spheres of an individual’s life, shaping his views, needs, and behavior. Most often they manifest themselves externally. They are dangerous to society. These include:

  • football fans,
  • Nazis,
  • skinheads,
  • Satanists.

In practice, classify subcultures and determine whether an individual belongs to one or another youth group more difficult for two reasons:

  • Firstly, the same subculture can be characterized from different sides and belong to different types.
  • Secondly, subcultures often interact with each other, borrow something from other cultures, change, “die” and are revived, and develop. This specificity can complicate the selection of means and methods of interaction with groups.

Subculture values

The values ​​of youth subcultures have not yet been fully explored. This may be due to their dynamism, transformation and tendency to borrow.

The values ​​of subcultures are the priorities and needs dictated by the subculture in all spheres of an individual’s life (social, spiritual, material).

  • As a rule, the values ​​of youth subcultures do not completely contradict generally accepted patterns. More often they can coexist peacefully, or certain aspects of society can be criticized. Groups whose values ​​are completely opposite to generally accepted ones are called countercultures.
  • The culture of Russian youth contains elements of both countercultures and subcultures. In the youth subculture, the most important area is leisure. This is where many of the peculiarities of young people’s pastime and worldview follow.

For some subcultures, such as Diggers and Tolkienists, main value is risk, seeking adventure, testing oneself, searching for new and unusual sensations, the meaning of life. The same desire for risk drives members of subcultures associated with dangerous sports.

Several groups of subcultures can be distinguished, classifying them according to values.

According to the orientation of values

  • Musical direction (rockers, rappers, metalheads, etc.).
  • Extreme sports (parkour, skaters, bikers, motorcyclists, cyclists, workout).
  • Subcultures of virtual space (gamers, hackers, other Internet subcultures).
  • Fashion and consumer groups (hipsters, dudes, etc.).
  • Shocking and escapist (emo, goths, hippies).
  • Sports fans (football fans, ultras).
  • Dance groups (breakdance, hip-hop and more).
  • Creatively directed (graffiti).
  • Creatively enthusiastic (anime enthusiasts) and creatively imitative (reenactors, Tolkienists).

By type of combination of values

  1. By type of pastime (music and sports fans, metalheads, lubers, Nazis). For them, the value is the formation of spiritual, moral and civic responsibility, participation in solving political problems, preservation and restoration of cultural and historical monuments, improvement environment, any social and political activity.
  2. By way of life (people, high-life, religious organizations, “system engineers” and any of their branches). Promote and follow the idea of ​​the value of human communication, peace and love. Representatives of such groups are united by the search for existence without economic and social problems, contradictions, wars, everyday hassles and other shocks. Very often, even after growing up, people do not leave these subcultures, since for them this is not a way of spending leisure time, but life itself.
  3. For alternative creativity (not officially recognized artists, sculptors, musicians, graffiti artists). Creative self-realization takes first place. They draw, write poetry, music, but their creativity goes beyond the generally accepted, and therefore is not officially recognized.

According to the level of continuity and value of surfactants

  • Groups with a negative attitude (neo-Nazis, chauvinists, straight-edge movement).
  • “Risk groups” (rastafarians, hippies, punks, ravers, rappers, emo, goths, bikers).
  • Groups with a neutral attitude (anime, naturists, nudists, role-players, Tolkienists).

In relation to values ​​and generally accepted ways of achieving them

  • Conformists. The group's values ​​coincide with those of society and are achieved through legal means.
  • Retreatists. The group’s values ​​coincide with public ones, but are achieved by any means, including illegal ones.
  • Ritualists. Social values are denied, but the values ​​of the subculture are achieved only through legal means.
  • Innovators. Neither values ​​nor methods of obtaining them are recognized. Participants offer alternative methods to achieve goals.
  • Rebels. Values ​​and methods are not recognized, alternatives are put forward. To achieve them, any methods are chosen.

By gender values

  • Androgyny (lack of gender distinction and separation social roles). The trend is noticeable, for example, among emo, glam rockers, freaks, goths, anime fans, hippies.
  • Masculinity (cult of physical strength, brutality and masculinity). Typical for football fans, bikers, metalheads, skinheads, gopniks.
  • In some subcultures, gender identification and division of roles have been preserved (glamour, role-playing, hip-hop).
  • Gender indifferent, that is, neutral groups (punk, rasta, rave, alternative, roller skaters, skaters, snowboarders, hackers, rastafarians).

The issue of cause-and-effect relationships between the value orientations of subcultures and the characteristics of modern youth is controversial:

  • on the one hand, young people themselves create and develop subcultures, which means they invest certain values;
  • on the other hand, subcultures interact with each other, with common culture, with the culture of other countries, which means that new (possibly beneficial to someone) attitudes penetrate into them.

As a rule, the values ​​of subcultures greatly influence the formation of personality and leave their mark forever. Even after a person’s self-determination in society and leaving the subculture, some subcultural values ​​remain with him forever. The values ​​and trends of the youth environment observed today can take root and become a determining factor in shaping the future of the country, society, and world culture.

Finally, I suggest getting acquainted with the new and dangerous youth movement “Youth Patrol”. This is a vivid example of a destructive and antisocial youth subculture. Is this really the world we want to live in?

There are subcultures that are formed on national, demographic, professional, geographical and other bases. In particular, subcultures are formed ethnic communities, differing in their dialect from the language norm. To others famous example are youth subcultures.

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History of the term

In 1950, the American sociologist David Riesman, in his research, came up with the concept of a subculture as a group of people who deliberately choose the style and values ​​​​preferred by a minority. A more thorough analysis of the phenomenon and concept of subculture was carried out by a British sociologist and media expert Dick Habdige in his book Subculture: The Meaning of Style. In his opinion, subcultures attract people with similar tastes who are not satisfied with generally accepted standards and values.

In the 1970s and 80s, following new genres in rock music, metalheads and punks formed. The first cultivated personal freedom and independence. The latter had a pronounced or political position or, a clearly expressed political position, for politicized punk rock the motto is idealized anarchy (but not always). With the advent of gothic rock, the goth subculture emerged in the 1980s. Its characteristic features are gloom, the cult of melancholy, the aesthetics of horror films and gothic novels. In New York, thanks to emigrants from Jamaica, a hip-hop culture appeared with its own music, appearance and lifestyle.

In the 1990s and 2000s, emo kids and cyber goths became widespread youth subcultures. The emo subculture is one of the youngest (many of its representatives are minors), it promotes vivid feelings and expressiveness of emotions. Cybers, as an offshoot of industrial rock, are passionate about the ideas of an imminent man-made apocalypse.

Art subcultures

Most youth subcultures not associated with musical genres, originated from interests in a certain type of art or hobby, such as graffiti.

Internet community and internet cultures

Since the mid-1990s, with the spread of Internet technologies everywhere, interactive subcultures began to appear. The Fido community can be considered the very first. Hackers are often classified as a subculture.

Industrial and sports subcultures

At the beginning of the 20th century, with the romanticization of the urban lifestyle and the inability of some young people to live outside the city, industrial (urban) subcultures emerged. Some industrial subcultures came from fans of industrial music, but the greatest influence on these subcultures was made by computer games(for example, Fallout).

To popular sports subcultures can be attributed:

  • The subculture of football and around football - football clubs, football fans and cheerleading.
  • Athletes, or “jocks” (eng. sportsman - “competitive person”, “player for the entertainment of the crowd”), including enthusiastic and practicing fans of strength and combat sports (bodybuilding, powerlifting, workout, various martial arts And so on). In the late USSR and Russia in the first half of the 1990s, “athletes” were used by pro-political movements in the fight against “informals” and were known as “lubers”. Later, being left out of work, they were used by the criminal world as cannon fodder in criminal wars, remembered in folklore of the 1990s as “lads”, “bulls”, “gopniks” in tracksuits.

Countercultures

The oldest is the counterculture of the underworld. Its appearance was caused by the natural isolation of persons who violate the law (exile to remote places, imprisonment, “gatherings”) from the main culture. As a result of this, a very rigid subculture was formed with a clear hierarchical ladder and its own laws. IN different countries this subculture has its own distinctive characteristics.

In Russia after the 1990s, many elements of this subculture penetrated into popular culture: elements of thieves' slang, thieves' song and tattoos. Gopniks are often classified as representatives of the criminal subculture. However, gopniks themselves (“hooligans”) do not distinguish themselves as a special subculture, and this definition can be considered nominal.

Another striking example of counterculture is the radical part of the skinhead subculture. Originating as a musical subculture, this subculture for a long time was associated with reggae and ska music, but later some skinheads joined radical political movements. One should not confuse the subculture itself, which is generally apolitical (such as traditional skinheads), and the radical part of the subculture (counterculture), which is associated with neo-Nazis, anti-communists and other political beliefs.

Milieu

One of the types of subcultures can be considered milieu (French milieu - environment, setting) - a set of human living conditions and the everyday social environment of a certain social group or social stratum. Sociologists describe milieu as groups of people characterized by special characteristics of behavior, culture, clothing, etc. The lifestyle, values ​​and behavioral norms in milieu are formed in the process of human socialization.

Relationships between subcultures

Subcultures, like any cultural phenomenon, arose not in a cultural vacuum, but in a culturally saturated environment. The society of the 20th century is oversaturated with various ideas, philosophical movements and other cultural elements. Therefore, it cannot be said that subcultures are isolated and antagonistic to mass culture; they have complex relationships, both with mass culture and with other subcultures.

Genetic connections of subcultures

Family ties between cultures make it possible to trace the movement of peoples, language changes and human technological development. Family ties between subcultures also help track changing attitudes and developments in the 20th century. Perhaps the most a shining example related subcultures are the punk subculture and its descendants: goths and others.

Conflicts

There is antagonism between some types of subcultures. This concerns musical subcultures and conflicts based on different musical tastes. For example, punks and rappers, thrashers and grunge fans.

see also

  • List of subcultures
  • Chronology of subcultures

Notes

Literature

  • Belyaev, I. A. Culture, subculture, counterculture / I. A. Belyaev, N. A. Belyaeva // Spirituality and statehood. Collection of scientific articles. Issue 3; edited by I. A. Belyaeva. - Orenburg: Branch of UrAGS in Orenburg, 2002. - P. 5-18.
  • Glushkova O. M. Theoretical aspects of the analysis of subculture // Architect: news of universities. - 2009. - No. 26.
  • Subculture // Encyclopedia of Sociology / Comp. A. A. Gritsanov, V. L. Abushenko, G. M. Evelkin, G. N. Sokolova, O. V. Tereshchenko.. - Minsk: Book House, 2003. - 1312 p.
  • Dolnik V. R.“Naughty child of the biosphere”, chapter 4th, “Rock of rock”.
  • Kravchenko A. I. Culturology: Textbook for universities. - 3rd. - Moscow: Academic Project, 2001.
  • Levikova S. I. Youth subculture: Tutorial. - M.: FAIR PRESS.2004.
  • Matskevich I.M. Doctor of Law. sciences, prof. Department of Criminology, Psychology and Criminal Executive Law, Moscow State Law Academy. Criminal subculture // Journal “Russian Law on the Internet. - 2005. - No. 1.
  • Omelchenko E.
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