Subcultures

Subcultures encompass distinct groups of people who share similar interests, including fields such as fashion, music, activities, socio-political beliefs, personality traits, and many other factors. Subcultures differ from Internet aesthetics. Although both can have an online presence, subcultures exist primarily in the real world and influence everyday life. The exact origin of subculture is hard to pinpoint as there have always been groups that stood out in a society, but the modern understanding of this phenomenon dates back to at least the late 19th century, primarily in Western countries. The concept became more prominent in the 20th century. Flappers (Roaring 20s) and British Teddy Boys (early 1950s to mid-1960s) are often considered some of the earliest contemporary subcultures.

History[]

This section needs work and further expansion.

In 1985, French sociologist Michel Maffesoli coined the term "urban tribe," which can be used interchangeably with subculture and is still the most used word in some countries. According to Maffesoli, urban tribes are microgroups of people who share common interests in metropolitan areas. The members of these relatively small groups tend to have similar worldviews, dressing styles, and behavioral patterns.

During the mid-1980s, the Stasi, the secret police of the German Democratic Republic (GDR), produced an internal report aiming to identify and categorize "negative-decadent youth cultures." The report identified eight distinct groups, including "Teds," who were associated with 1950s fashion and rock and roll music; "Tramps," linked to 1970s trends; and "Heavies," fans of hard rock and metal. The Stasi report also included groups more familiar to contemporary readers, like Goths, described as a "satanic and death cult" with an interest in The Cure, and Punks, characterized by their "anarchist thoughts" and rejection of societal norms. The report detailed each group's interests, appearance, perceived political leanings, and activities, reflecting the Stasi's concern with any form of dissent or non-conformity. This document is now held by the Memorial Museum in the "Round Corner" in Leipzig.^[1]

Fashion[]

While many subcultures are associated with a specific fashion style, members of a subculture don't necessarily prioritize achieving a particular look. For example, someone who enjoys comics and science fiction may identify with "geek culture" without adopting a specific "Geek" aesthetic.

Meanwhile, members of some subcultures such as Metalheads, Goths, and Gabbers, argue that the main defining characteristic of their culture is a shared passion for their respective music genres rather than fashion, no matter how iconic their stereotypical look is.

Fashion-based subcultures are distinct and emphasize fashion as the defining factor. For instance, only people who wear lolita fashion are considered part of the Lolita subculture, while Scene kids were initially deemed "posers" that emphasized fashion over the music associated with Emo and Hardcore Punk.

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