The Features of Youth Subcultures. Looking at various writings on youth culture the following features are noted some of which may well overlap style language, music, class, rebellion, gender, art, rebellion, relationship to the dominant culture, degree of openness to outsiders, urban rural living, etc. The following insights were gained from class interaction on youth subculture groups A. Class and Youth Subcultures It was found that within different socio-economic groups subculture groups take on different characteristics and are based on different factors.
Within the working class communities youth tend to have more interaction with parents and therefore dont seem to rebel as much against their parents as youth in middle to upper classes.
Youth subcultures in working class communities will show a greater among of gang activity, with subculture groups being defined around gangs in some areas.
In middle class areas youth seem to form their subcultures around interests, such as sports. B. Music and Youth Subcultures Most subculture groups could be identified with a specific music genre and in some instances music was the defining characteristic around which the group was formed such as with the following subcultures Ravers, Metalheads, Homeboys, Ethno-hippies, Goths, Technos, Rastas and Punks. In other communities music is a key feature, but another factor would be the key characteristic, such as with Bladers, Bikers, Skaters, Surfers, etc C. Family and Youth Subcultures In working class families, we noted that families tend to have closer interaction and youth do not seem so intent on being different to their parents, whereas in other communities youth may deliberately choose a certain subculture group to reinforce their independence and even opposition to their parents.
In upper-class communities or among youth from upper-class homes youth are given a lot more disposable income with which to engage in sports, computers, entertainment, etc. So they are able to engage in a greater diversity of pursuits - so there are possibly more subculture groups in middle to upper-class communities.
D. Fashion and Youth Subcultures It was noted that fashion plays a role in all subculture groups and that some are more strongly defined by their fashion, while others take the clothing that relates to the music or sport to define the subculture group. Working class youth tend to place greater emphasis on fashion as it is the one way in which they can show off what they own, whereas middle class youth have other things to show off, such as homes, smart cars, fancy sound systems, etc. 5.