Question

Explain the difference between subcultures and countercultures and give an example of each.

Answer 1

The prefix sub and counter mean under and against respectively. The sub culture has it's own set of values, attitudes and beliefs, however, they manage to align with the mainstream culture. Their ideas may be different from the mainstream values and beliefs, however, it is not considered to be odd. For instance, Goths, they are individuals who wear black from top to bottom including painting their nails black. They have their set of ideas but they are not considered to be odd.

However, counterculture means against or opposite to the mainstream culture. Individuals belonging to counterculture have exactly the opposite ideologies, values, attitudes and beliefs to the mainstream culture. Counterculture always try to rope in more number of people to counter the dominant culture. For instance, feminists are an apt example of counterculture. The mainstream culture is a typical patriarchal dominant society. However, the feminists counter question the sheer existence of gender stereotypes.