Social, Musical or Artistic Subcultures and the Youth

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MarketAndChurch
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Joined: 3 Apr 2011
Age: 39
Gender: Male
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Location: The Peoples Republic Of Portland

01 Aug 2011, 9:12 pm

I have a few questions about subcultures, the ones during your youth, and what you draw from it. What are its lasting impressions, are they good in general, etc.

    1.) What subcultures(if any) were you all a part of in your youth? What subcultures do you recall from your youth that you now wish you had been a part of? Which ones can you not stand? And now, reapproaching them as an adult, which ones do you think was unhealthy or immoral for society or affects the human in a bad way?

    2.) Are subcultures good for the youth? If so, why? If not, how can we make them better?

    3.) What subcultures would you like to introduce your children to? Are there any you would prefer they not join? Are there any that you were not a part of that you wish your kids would join?



I'll post and update some thoughts over the course of this.

I've been a part of most k-12 school subcultures. I've traded pokemon cards with enthusiasts, I did cross country and and joined the runners culture, I tried to buy into prepdom by being a gelhead with appropriate attire and friends, ive been a goth, a punk, a juggalo, a geek, a b-boy, a metalhead, a raver, gamer, and many other things.

My feelings are that most of the ones most popular amongst the youth are not good for them, but it is largely in feeling and spirit... one that I cannot fully articulate. I expect most of you to disagree with me, which is fine. But even in disagreement, I think our collective brainstorming via the questions above will better help me understand subcultures from different perspectives of people who have been a part of one or more, and along the way, maybe I'll be better able to flesh out my own views on the matter.

For my own children, I wish they'd steer clear of most every high school subculture I grew up with, unless it was the theater crowd or the local eco club. I'd introduce them to the runners/fitness culture(it's a lifestyle...), I'd immerse them in the foodie culture, the arts, my politics, and a design genera that fascinates them(fashion, architecture, 3D modeling/animation, product development, industrial, etc.). Those are just a few subcultures Id involve them in, but ultimately, all we can do is bait them, and whether they bite on is beyond our control. Thoughts? be it on my own thoughts, or your answers to the questions above would be appreciated.


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