The Role and Formation of Youth Subculture

Youth subcultures play an influential part in developing young people’s identities.
These subcultures often provide a sense of collective identity, distinguishing group members from others.
Youth subcultures can provide a supportive community where young people feel understood and accepted.
They often serve as a platform for young people to challenge mainstream societal norms.
Many youth subcultures are characterised by distinctive styles, behaviours, and interests, creating a form of expressive resistance.

Youth subcultures can form around a variety of factors such as shared interests, common backgrounds, or shared struggles.
The media can play a significant role in the formation of youth subcultures, through the dissemination of music, style cues, and ideas.
Social class can also play a part in the formation of youth subcultures, as certain groups may experience similar societal pressures or marginalisation.
Physical spaces such as music venues, skateparks or online platforms can be crucial in facilitating subcultures as they can serve as meeting places that bring young people together.
The political or societal context can also shape the development of certain youth subcultures, particularly those that emerge as a form of protest or rebellion.

From a Functionalists viewpoint, youth subcultures help in integrating young people into society by providing them with a collective identity and a sense of belonging.
Marxist interpretations focus on how youth subcultures respond and react to societal hierarchy, particularly related to issues of class.
Interactionists study the interactions within and between different youth subcultures to understand their forming and functions.
Postmodernist theories claim that youth subcultures are increasingly fragmented, fluid, and diverse due to the influence of media and globalisation.

Studying subcultures can provide insights into the experiences, issues and behaviours of young people.
It highlights cultural diversity and the influences shaping youth’s lives and identities.
It can assist in understanding societal shifts and trends, as youth subcultures often reflect broader patterns in society.
Understanding youth subcultures can aid efforts in youth work, policy making, and in developing more effective young people support systems.