The term subculture is quite problematic as
it is hard to define and has undergone a shift throughout time. While Dick
Hebdige (Reader Week 7) argued that a subculture is a subversion to
normalcy and could be perceived as negative due to their nature of criticism
to the dominant societal standard, this seems only true for some subcultures -
and even then only for some members of a subculture. I think nowadays
subcultures are everywhere, and while many people belong to a (or several)
mainstream or dominant culture/s (such as nationality), I feel that so-called
subcultures are formed as a means of categorising everywhere. One can belong to
several subcultures without even realising it - it all depends on how you
define the term. There is a need of being individual, and at the same time
belong to a group in every person, as much as there is a need to categorise
others and the world around us. Subcultures can help us to identify with
something, and is thus are a form of expression. Often the media shapes distinct
images of such subcultures, creating hype around one or the other - putting a
spin on it, either negative or positive, but most of all commersialising
it.
I think subcultures go hand in hand with
stereotyping and thus one has to be careful not to be prejudice when
seeing someone who wears a leather jacket, black make-up or board
shorts and thongs. To me, the term 'subculture' became
quite presumptuous and is not adequate to describe the social phenomenons
that are happening around the world. 'Sub' indicates inferiority, and the term
'culture' is nearly impossible to define by itself (or has been tried to define
too many times). I rather think of different networks that people form around
them, creating an individual identity while being able to connect and have a
feeling of belonging through language, music, fashion, work, sports and so on.
This does not necessarily need to come with one strict set of 'cultural'
values, but will be transformed and shaped anew with every person.
