Sociology 12

Subculture and Counterculture

•Investigate the existence of subcultures and countercultures in Canadian society.

Outcome

Definition of Subculture: a. the cultural values and behavioral patterns

distinctive of a particular group in a society.b. a group having social, economic, ethnic, or

other traits distinctive enough to distinguish it from others within the same culture or society.

Subculture

Perceived as having both positive and negative effects on society.

Subculture

Subcultures can exist or divide through a multitude of dimensions :

Social class Ethnic or racial background Religion Social groups and clubs

Social Divide

How do you perceive the effects of subculture within your environment?

Are you a member of a subculture? If so, what role do you believe that it plays in your social interactions?

Subcultures

Tools and Equipment

(video)

Subculture can be defined by

Rituals/ Tradition

Values/ Norms

Dress

Language

Generally perceived in a positive manner

Its what makes Canadian culture so unique

Cultural mosaic

Strengthens social groups (a sense of belonging)

Subculture in Canada

the culture and lifestyle of those people, especially among the young, who reject or oppose the dominant values and behavior of society.

Counterculture

Can have negative societal effects

Can have a negative origin

Exists on a multitude of levels (political, personal, social, etc)

Counterculture

FLQ , 1960’s

Skinheads

Hells Angels

Hippies

Extreme reactions to Counterculture

FLQ stands for Front de Libération du Québec

Separatists This was a group of radical

nationalists that began in the 1960's

This group believed that armed insurrection of violent rebellion was what they had to do to achieve their goals.

October Crisis 1970

The FLQ

Extremist Counterculture

Terrorists attacks are an extreme example of how counterculture can destroy the very glue that bonds society together, our sense of security and unity.

White supremacists

Known for racial hatred, but extends to gender and beyond.

No known national organization but linked to gang affiliates: Heritage Front (1989), Aryan Resistance Movement, Northern Hammerskins.

Skinheads

Motorcycle club

Linked to organized crime, murder, drugs, extortion, etc.

Widely feared.

Motto "When we do right, nobody remembers. When we do wrong, nobody forgets".

Hells Angels

Government

From a political perspective Counterculture materializes in society according to government/societal approval.

Adverse political decisions can lead to a distinct counter-culture

Counterculture in the 1960s

One of the truest forms of perceived counterculture in the 60’s was the development of a society of people who were referred to as hippies.

These individuals were seen as counter productive to the goals/ways of North American society.