Critical Reading: Dickbdige, Subculture

Subcultures have been present throughout time, from 'hippies', to punks, mods and of course the modern day 'chav'. This reading analyses the behaviour of these sub cultures, it takes a close look at whether sub cultures truly are the 'rule breakers' they consider themselves to be or whether they still conform to fashions and trends.
This reading presents the theory that sub cultures are 'noise' instead of 'sound'. It believes that subcultures believe that they interfere in the odinary things that happen, putting their own stamp on almost everything they do. Subcultures 'noise' is an interesting way to look at them, it is clear that subcultures try to make your that they never conform to be how society expects everyone to be. They do not do it quitetly either, fashions of subultures tnd to big big a bold, making it almost impossible to deny that they do not conform to be what society expects them to be.

It also believes that subcultures may also play up to the image that the media presents of them and continue to live up to what is expected of them. I believe this is quite an interesting arguement, sub cultures undoubtedly try to live up to the hype. If they are made out to be one thing, the members of the subculture will try to become that. The media refer to people in such sub cultures as 'animals' and 'freaks'. If the press labels these people such things it is likely they will beocme it. The arguement for subcultures being 'noise' is also interesting, it is clear that subcultures try to make your that they never conform to be how society expects everyone to be.
Hebdige talks about the presses reaction to an emergence of sub culture. He says that their reaction fluctuates between 'dread and facination, outrage and amusement. The reading explains that while newspapers go for shocking stories on the front page, for example in terms of subculture would go for a story reflecting a sub culture negatively. However inside the newspaper there would be supplements on new fads that are emeging. This is quite an accurate arguement, the main sub culture today is the 'chav phenomenom' tabliod newspapers report on their law breaking and disrespect but also have humerous articles on the way they dress etc. This backs up Hebdiges arguement of the media being both horrified and amused by subcultures at the same time.
It is suggested that subcultures do eventually start to enter the mainstream, 'Conversion of subcultural signs (dress, music etc) into mass-produced objects (ie commodity form'. Eventually shops will start stocking colths catering for the latest fad and record companies will start releasing music aimed at the subculture. This in some cases could mean the death of the subculture as many of them thrive on being individuals. Punks would use house hold objects such as safety pins and binliners and incorporate them into their clothing, they would rip their clothes etc. Now almost every clothes shoip in the sountry will sell ripped jeans, people wear them now and nobody pays attention. Certain parts of the subculture eventually moves changes into culture.
Overall Hebdige presents quite an accurate image of subcultures and how they work. Their main aim is not to conform to what people see as normal, don't dress 'normally' and don't act 'normal'. Be rebellious and make youself stand out with your appearance. The fact that certain parts of a subculture is incorporated into everyday life is also interesting. When people except the subculture, when people are no longer shocked by them, it starts to die off, not totally today you still see the occasional hipy or punk but there's nowhere near the amount there used to be.
The modern day subculture, chav culture, is very similar to the ones before it. They are instanlty recongnisable by appearance and they usually behave in a disrespectful manor, rebelling against law and order. Some blame the 'chav culture' on Americanisation, youths trying to copy the actions of US hip hop stars. Some blame it on lack of discipline, but if it was not chavs I am sure there would be some other subculture shocking the country.