2.3. The features of youth subcultures

Looking at various writings on youth culture the following features are noted (some of which may well overlap): style; language, music, class, rebellion, gender, art, relationship to the dominant culture, degree of openness to outsiders, urban/rural living, etc. The following insights were gained from class interaction on youth subculture groups:

• Class and Youth Subcultures

It was found that within different socio-economic groups subculture groups take on different characteristics and are based on different factors.

• Music and Youth Subcultures

Most subculture groups could be identified with a specific music genre and in some instances music was the defining characteristic around which the group was formed (such as with the following subcultures: Ravers, Metalheads, Homeboys, Ethno-hippies, Goths, Technos, Rastas and Punks). In other communities music is a key feature, but another factor would be the key characteristic, such as with Bladers, Bikers, Skaters, Surfers, etc.).

• Family and Youth Subcultures

In working class families, we noted that families tend to have closer interaction and youth do not seem so intent on being different to their parents, whereas in other communities youth may deliberately choose a certain subculture group to reinforce their independence and even opposition to their parents.

• Fashion and Youth Subcultures

It was noted that fashion plays a role in all subculture groups and that some are more strongly defined by their fashion, while others take the clothing that relates to the music or sport to define the subculture group.

2.4. The types of youth subcultures

Based on their internal logic of development, there can be distinguished the following types of youth subcultures:

1. Stable Subcultures - these are functional and hierarchical and age-based.

2. Developing Subcultures - here there are two types, those that are (i) climbing - their role is becoming more important, and those that are (ii) climbing-down - their significance is being reduced.

Counter Cultures - those that confront and contradict the official culture, also called oppositional subcultures.

2.6. The variety of youth subcultures

Youth workers should seek to identify the various subculture groups within the community in which the youth group operates, to ensure that the group is able to help to meet the needs of the different groups. In Britain in the 1980s the following groups of youth were identified: Casuals, Rastas, Sloans, Goths, Punks and Straights.

In 1995 a market research project discovered that within the Black youth culture there are three main subcultures: the Rappers, Pantsulas and the Italians. While within the White youth subculture only thirty percent of youth identify with a subculture and the subcultures are far more numerous: alternatives, Punks, Goths, Technoids, Metalheads, Homeboys, Yuppies, Hippies and Grunge.

The following subculture groups were identified by students studying at the Baptist Theological College in South Africa: Achievers; Intellectuals; Belongers; Image-Conscious; Very Poor; Models; Heavy Metal Dudes; Rugby Boys; Metalheads; Hippies; Mainstream; Average Teenager; Fashion Fanatic; Intellectuals; Physical; Clubers; Family Centered; Workaholics, etc.

Youth subcultures provide particular functions for the young:

• They offer a solution to certain structural problems created by the internal contradictions of a socio-economic structure, which are collectively experienced.

• They offer a culture, from which can be selected certain cultural elements such as style, values, ideologies and life style.

• An alternative form of social reality is experienced, rooted in class culture, but mediated by neighborhood.

• Subcultures offer, through their expressive elements, a meaningful way of life during leisure.

• Subcultures offer to the individual solutions to certain existential dilemmas. This involves style to construct an identity outside work or school.