types of subcultures

A. cohen

functionalist

made a link between working class and status frustration

lower class boys strive to emulate the middle class values and aspiration in school but lacked the means to be successful

lead to status frustration - sense of personal failure

behaved badly to gain status from peers

sees this process as functional because it helps them gain status they could not get elsewhere

hall

marxist

defined a characteristic of spectacular subcultures as rebellion

hippies in 1960s - rejected mainstream youth consumer culture

wear bright colours, long hair, protect environment, campaigned.

took hallucinatory drugs

cloward and ohlin

functionalist

working class youths are more likely to have access to a parallel opportunity structure - illegitimate opportunity structure

greater pressure for WC youth compared to MC youth to deviate from mainstream norms and values

harder to succeed within the legitimate opportunity structure

criminal subcultures give WC youths an opportunity to earn money in a capitalist society

hebdige

Punks in 1979

analysed symbols and meanings

punks redefined household objects, such as chains and dustbins

flamboyant and easily identified by their multi coloured hairstyles

set themselves apart from other sub cultures, rejecting dominant hegemonic values

marxist

carried out observation, interviews and analysed diaries in a school in midlands

‘counter school subculture’ amongst working class boys whom he followed over 18 months

valued ‘having a laff’ above conformity and academic progress

part of fight against capitalism

boys were ‘semi class conscious’, aware that the capitalist system was set against them.

patrick

studied non utilitarian violence

used in a ‘way in’ or condition of entry to some youth gangs

take part in violent and dangerous situations as an initiation test, rather than to make money.

gained entry to the gangs, became concerned of his own safety