Subculture

In the field of sociology, a subculture is a specific group within a larger cultural society. This larger group is often called the superculture or the dominant culture. Subcultures differentiate themselves by maintaining unique values, norms, and principles. These groups coexist within the mainstream while keeping their specific characteristics intact. They develop their own rules regarding political, cultural, and sexual matters. This allows members to form a distinct identity that sets them apart from the majority.

The mechanism of a subculture relies on shared symbols and behaviors. Members often use style, including clothing, music, and hairstyles, to signal their membership. This process is sometimes called "bricolage," where people use existing cultural goods to express new meanings. Some members may also use body modifications like tattoos or piercings to show their preferences. In 1995, researcher Sarah Thornton introduced the term "subcultural capital." This refers to the specific knowledge and commodities that members acquire to raise their status within the group.

Scholars distinguish subcultures from other social structures using specific criteria. In 2007, Ken Gelder proposed six ways to identify them. These include having a negative or ambivalent relation to social class. Subcultures often associate with specific territories, like "the street" or a club, rather than private property. They may also show a stylistic tie to excess or exaggeration. Many subcultures move away from the home to find belonging in non-domestic social groups. They often maintain a relationship with work that is viewed as being at leisure or "idle."

The history of subcultural study began in the 1940s and 1950s. Early research came from the Chicago School, which viewed these groups through the lens of deviance. They used Social Disorganization Theory to explain how subcultures emerged. They believed these groups appeared due to a lack of socialization with the mainstream. Researchers like Robert E. Park and Louis Wirth suggested that "natural areas" in cities could reinforce these deviant models. Some members became innovators or rebels, while others became "retreatists" who withdrew from society.

Later studies shifted toward the idea of resistance. The Birmingham CCCS studied how subcultures could be forms of symbolic resistance against dominant middle-class culture. They argued that subcultures allow people to express conflict through style. However, some thinkers like Dick Hebdige noted that this resistance might be illusory. The "culture industry" can absorb these styles and turn them into mass-market products. This process can weaken the subculture by removing its subversive meaning. For example, music-based groups like punk, jazz, or hip-hop often move from the margins to the mainstream very quickly.

Modern interpretations view subcultures as forms of distinction or "taste cultures." Rather than seeing them as outsiders, researchers like Paul Hodkinson see them as groups with consistent identity and autonomy. These groups are not always in conflict with the mainstream. Instead, they may have porous borders that allow for interaction and mingling. This perspective replaces the idea of strict insiders and outsiders. It suggests that individuals can participate in various styles through "style surfing" or by using different levels of subcultural capital.

Subcultures relate to many broader social systems, including commerce and law. Businesses often practice cultural appropriation to capitalize on subcultural styles. They seek to use the "cool" factor of a subculture to sell products to the mass market. This can lead to the evolution or even the death of a subculture as members seek new, non-commercial styles. In some historical cases, subcultural activities have even been regulated or legislated against by authorities. Today, subcultures can be found in many places, from religious groups to organizations and popular media like video games and animation.