Question

Pick a subculture within the U.S., (e.g., bikers, goths, etc.) and clearly explain why it is called a subculture. Also explain why it came into social existence, as well as identify what utility it serves for group members. Lastly, describe the similarities and differences between the subculture you selected and the dominant/mainstream culture in the U.S.

Answer 1

• A subculture is just what it sounds like—a smaller cultural group within a larger culture; people of a subculture are part of the larger culture but also share a specific identity within a smaller group.Biker culture revolves around a dedication to motorcycles.  In the United States, adolescents often form subcultures to develop a shared youth identity. Alcoholics Anonymous offers support to those suffering from alcoholism.
• Motorcycle clubs have been around since the 1940’s. The first real club, or gang, to come about, was the Hells Angels. They started in California in 1948, and have been growing ever since, becoming international by 1961. Many other clubs have formed since then, including: Vagos, Banditos, Leathernecks, etc.
• However, not all clubs are filled with criminals. In fact, ninety-nine percent of “biker gangs” are law enforcement officers, firefighters, doctors, etc. But, what society will often think when they hear of biker gangs are the one percenters. The one percenters are the ones that do criminal acts like “drug dealing, trafficking in stolen goods, and extortion, and that they fight over territory and the illegal drug trade.
• Motorcycle clubs, mainly the ninety-nine percenters are not all criminals like the dominant culture perceives them as. They are in fact, “weekend warriors.” This simply means that they have white-collar jobs, live in suburban homes, and follow all the norms and regulations of the society in which they live; on weekends they submerge in subculture.
• They have their lives as doctors, or teachers, or police officers, and then on the weekends they go riding or partake in the club’s activities. Many men in motorcycle gangs, since women are not typically accepted, are not criminals, and just join for the love of riding.
• Motorcycle clubs, biker gangs, have a typically bad reputation in the dominant society; do to their rebellious values and norms. However, not all biker clubs are bad, and many are forming and expanding today.
• Members of a subculture often signal their membership through a distinctive and symbolic use of style, which includes fashions, mannerisms.A culture often contains numerous subcultures, which incorporate large parts of the broader cultures of which they are part; in specifics they may differ radically. Subcultures bring together like-minded individuals who feel neglected by societal standards and allow them to develop a sense of identity as in the case of biker culture.
• Biker subculture is different from the traditional societal norms that is expected to be followed by everyone,this subculture has its own set of norms which are expected to be followed by people who belong to this group.This subculture also involves deviant behaviour which is obviously different from the dominant culture at large.
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