Subcultural Theories - Culture Essay Sample

A subculture is a phenomenon that entails a theoretical definition. Subcultures have for long been misunderstood through the conceptual basis that forms the framework for their definition. Literature suggests that subcultures cannot be defined unless they are created and are in existence. Consequently, there are no predetermined criteria for categorizing or defining subcultures. They can only be defined after existence using the class, age, geographical borders, and race (Wacquant, 1998). The study of subcultures is mainly involved with the interest in the diversity of cultural formations within urban areas. Subcultures have since become a very interesting phenomenon forming the basis of studies on what it is that ties people together to a certain subculture.

Is your time best spent reading someone else’s essay? Get a 100% original essay FROM A CERTIFIED WRITER!

Order now

In an effort to understand how subcultural theories assist in the comprehension of different aspects of culture, one would have to delve deeper into a specific subculture. This paper will try to analyze the significance of subcultural theories in the betterment of the comprehension of lifestyles, life changes and identity formations in so-called urban ghettos. In order to achieve this, a deep understanding of the so-called urban ghettos needs to be established. Then, and only then, can one look at a cultural formation in urban areas and understand how the concept of subcultural theories shines light upon various aspects of cultural formations.

Urban ghettos are defined as urban areas whose population mostly consists of minorities. The minorities include people who have suffered for long under economic, legal or social pressure (Schmalleger, & Volk, 2013). Most urban ghettos are occupied by blacks. In America, most of the black population resides in the ghettos (Wacquant, 1998). Looking at the history of the term ghetto, one realizes its long history in Venice where it was first used to mean an area where the Jewish community was segregated and restricted. From its historical origin, the term ghetto has been used to define an area inhabited by a part of the population that has been kept apart from the greater community.

Essentially, urban ghettos are mostly populated by the black community. The black community has a rich historical connection with the hip hop subculture. The hip-hop subculture was formed due to the need to rebel against the white majority of the community. The hip hop culture was also aimed at fighting oppression and historical injustices they suffer. The injustice which has had an adverse economic influence on the black community. Therefore, there are sufficient reasons why the black community, living in the urban ghettos has identified itself with the hip hop subculture.

From the understanding of subcultural theories, one would identify the black people with the hip hop subculture due to various reasons. One of the significant reasons includes the strong connection between hip hop music and the Hip hop subculture. On most occasions, academicians interchange these two terms to mean the same thing. Which is essentially true considering the lifestyle, life changes and identity aspects of the hip hop subculture are sufficiently influenced by the hip hop music. Hip hop was formed as a subculture due to the expressive need of deviant behavior. Most cultural formations are due to the needs of peers coming together to defy conforming to standards that for some particular reasons do not align with the interests of the individuals (Schmalleger, & Volk, 2013). Therefore, the defiance nature that gives birth to most subcultures forms the fundamental framework of understanding the various implication of the cultural formations.

A deeper look into the hip-hop subculture shows that the lifestyle, life changes, and identity are defined by the defiance of the black community to conform to standards set by the majority white community. The hip-hop subculture was essentially formed due to the desire of the black community to identify with each other, especially the youth. Furthermore, the fact that hip hop music, rather known as rap music has had a significant effect on defining the lifestyles, life changes and identity of the much more ethical hip hop subculture that has essentially become a mainstreamed youth culture today.

Hip hop music, which is the main element of the hip hop subculture has had significant implications for the lifestyle, life changes and identity of individuals identifying with the subculture. Hip-hop music has a defined code of dressing or rather a fashion preference that has been predominant with the hip hop subculture. Furthermore, the context of hip hop music depicts the total definition of the hip hop subculture. Hip hop is as a music genre has influenced the deviant behavior in most young black men and women. Therefore, the concept of hip hop music has significantly influenced various cultural implications on the hip hop subculture.

Subcultures theories are therefore very significant in the comprehension of a various phenomenon that arises from the cultural formation which results to a subculture. The cultural implications of the urban ghettos can be expressed or rather explained through the subcultural theories that surround cultural formations in the so-called urban ghettos.

References

Schmalleger, F. J., & Volk, R. (2013). Canadian criminology today: Theories and applications. Pearson Education Canada.

Wacquant, L. (1998). Inside the Zone The Social Art of the Hustler in the Black American Ghetto. Theory, Culture & Society, 15(2), 1-36.