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Home » Glossary » Subculture

Subculture

A social group with distinct norms, values, and styles that differentiate it from mainstream society.

Explanation

A subculture is a group within a larger culture that develops its own norms, values, beliefs, and practices. Subcultures can form around music, fashion, ideology, or shared experiences of marginalization. They provide members with identity, solidarity, and a sense of belonging, while often resisting dominant social expectations. Sociologists analyze subcultures to understand cultural conflict, social change, and the labeling of deviance.

Theoretical Reference

Dick Hebdige – Subculture: The Meaning of Style

Subcultural theory (Cohen)

Related Terms

  • Youth Culture
  • Deviance
  • Moral Panic
  • Cultural Criminology

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