Week 8 – Are Subcultures a Sign of Revolt or an Expression of Style?

Subcultures can be seen as a sign of revolt, for example, the skinhead subculture was argued to be a way for working class people to react to the changes occurring at the time in working class jobs and industries, as well as rebelling against their parents. Their music was seen as part of a degenerate culture and was completely different to anything that their parents would have listened to. However, subcultures can also be seen as an expression of style, for example, the Punk subculture made fashion and style a huge part of their culture. They used their style to shock people and make a point about the economic conditions of the time. They tried to make something and be creative with the mess of the economic conditions. Their different style defined them and their culture from other subcultures. Therefore subcultures can be seen as both a sign of revolt and an expression of style.