Subcultures and Stereotypes

Stereotyping is something which is done daily in all of our lives. Whether it's something we're wearing which creates the divide or the music we listen to, all stereotypes have factors. Stereotyping is often harmless but sometimes it can get taken too far and be highly offensive and simply rude. Stereotypes are direct expressions of beliefs and values and subcultures are groups or light-minded people who do things a bit different to others.

Timeline of Subcultures

1950s - The word 'teenager' was created which caused a large divide in people of various ages.

- Jennifer Greenburg - an American photographer who did a project on Rockabillies who were all about black and white creeps, quiffed hair, cuffed jeans and even rebellion. The book documented an entire town in America which still lives in the rockabillies style.

- Teddyboys/girls - quiffs, combed hair, smart suits, long skirts.

1960s - the decade of youth culture

- Hippie - flowerpower - movement against the current Vietnam war - born out of protest - started in California

- The Mods- sharp dressers (known for wearing Fred Perry) - went around on scooters - influenced by Jamaican music

1970s - Skinheads - shavenheads - racist but loved black music which was very controversial and hypocritical

- Punk - first started in 1974 - influenced by bands such as The Ramones, The Clash and Sex Pistols - Vivienne Westwood was a big fashion influence within the punk culture

1980s - Electronic music exploded

- Cross dressing became popular as well as at the time extravagent fashion within genders - eg. David Bowie

- New Romantics - Duran Duran - Adan and The Ants

- Gothic

- Hip/Hop - originating in New York - Eminem - streetdance

1990s - Britpop/Dance - Spice Girls, Britney Spears

- Rave - Andreas Gursky did a short project on the Union Rave scene which was illegal in many countries throughout the era - documenting the crowds