Subcultures could be said to oppose the cultural norms found within mainstream culture. Is the difference between subcultures and mainstream cultures so clearly defined? In what ways does mainstream culture draw on the cultural and media products that originate in subcultural practice? Give examples to back up your ideas.
The term subculture usually defies groups studied apart from their families, .
domestic or private setting with an emphasis on the affiliation formed. When.
referring to subcultures we generally refer to a group that are perceived to .
deviate from the standards, which are standards of the dominant culture. This .
is usually defined according to age sexuality, economic taste and racial and .
gendered terms. Subculture groups form because of the need to escape and .
seek new meaning. They arise out of the collective and almost need to .
redifine something in wider society that provides meaning. In a more specific .
sense it is a group with a distinct style and identity. They posses strict social .
rules which enables them to be identified and social borders strong enough .
for the affiliation to be recognised as a subcultures. Subcultures create their .
own interpretation of the dominant societies norms, this normally means .
rejecting these norms and creating their own. The relationship between .
mainstream hegemonic culture (dominant culture) and the subculture clearly .
oppose each other. Hebdige writes, " maps of meaning in society are charged .
with a potentially explosive significance because they are traced and retraced .
along the lines laid down by the dominant discourses about reality, the .
dominant ideologies thus they tend to represent, in however obscure and .
contra dictionary fashion, the interests of the dominat groups in society" .
(Hebdige 1979: 6) No longer wanting to abide by the rules society instructs .
us to live by these groups decide to form their own rules to live by to show .