Topic 2C: Ethnicity and youth subcultures

what did venkatesh argue for why young black men joined gangs

Venkatesh found that young black men felt forced into gang life because they had few other opportunities in an area of 80% unemployment.

Venkatesh called the gangs activities ‘outlaw capitalism’ because he saw similarities such as getting a regular wage, working up the hierarchy, having a job to do, having colleagues and a purpose.

By joining a gang, they created a sense of family and structure, protecting themselves against racism and abuse.

what does Scraton (1987), a Neo-Marxist, argue is the reason ethnic minorities commit crime

political act

He argues that if young members of an ethnic minority do commit a crime, they are only doing so as a political act, rather than as a criminal act. Ethnic minorities have been on the receiving end of discrimination since the first ‘British Empire’ migrants arrived in the 1950s, leaving them in a significantly worse socio-economic position and with far fewer opportunities than the 'white' majority. I

what does Murray and the New Right suggest is the reason for higher crime rates in ethnic minorities

single parent

Inadequate socialisation.

Murray points out that Black British families are more than twice as likely as white families to be single-parent households.

He argues that these families often fail to provide adequate social control, male role models and a lack of discipline to their children, which is why greater numbers joins deviant or criminal subcultures.

The New Right reject the Marxist argument that higher ethnic minority deviance in youth is a justifiable and political response to oppression.

what is hutnyks idea of cultural appropriation

Hutnyk calls the use of a symbol which belongs to another culture ‘cultural appropriation’, which refers to the use of traditions and cultural artefacts, such as clothing or a hairstyle, is taken from a culture and used in a different way, i.e. for making a fashion statement.

This can offend people when it reinforces stereotypes or contributes to oppression.

Examples of cultural appropriation include wearing a Native American headdress as a costume or using sacred symbols as fashion accessories.

What was nayak example of cultural appropriation

Nayak in his study of white wannabes (see later postmodernism topic) would also support the cultural appropriation points that Hutnyk makes.

what would feminists argue about ethnic hybridity

However, Feminists would argue that despite this increasing ethnic hybridity, the demographic that has not changed in youth subcultures is that males still dominate, meaning that women in 2023 are still under-represented whenever studying youth subcultures and their influence on society.

Pussy Riot

A Russian feminist punk rock collective known for their provocative performances advocating political activism, LGBTQ+ rights, and opposition to authoritarianism.

Hegemonic masculinity

A concept describing the dominant societal ideal of masculinity that reinforces male dominance and subordination of women and marginalized masculinities.

Herd masculinity:

Group behaviors among men emphasizing conformity to masculine norms, often reinforcing aggressive or hyper-masculine traits.

Cult of femininity

A cultural ideal that emphasizes traditional, passive, and nurturing roles for women, often perpetuating gender inequality.

Chivalry thesis

The argument that women are treated more leniently than men by the criminal justice system due to paternalistic attitudes.

#MeToo

A global movement against sexual harassment and assault, where individuals share personal experiences to raise awareness and demand accountability.

Poverty of aspiration

The idea that individuals, often from disadvantaged backgrounds, lack ambition or goals due to structural and cultural factors.

Jack Wills Crowd

A stereotype referring to affluent, privileged young people associated with preppy clothing brands like Jack Wills.

Cultures of resistance:

Subcultures or groups that actively oppose dominant cultural norms or systems, often as a form of political or social critique.

Hybrid subcultures

Subcultures that blend elements from multiple cultural influences, creating new, mixed identities.

Male dominated

Refers to areas, fields, or systems where men hold the majority of power, influence, and representation.

Resistance to capitalism

Actions or ideologies opposing capitalist systems, often advocating for alternative economic or social structures.

Anti-school subcultures

Groups of students who reject school norms and authority, often valuing deviant or oppositional behaviors.

Semi-class conscious:

Partial awareness of class inequality and exploitation, without fully formed or active class-based resistance.