Subculture facts for kids

A subculture is a group of people who share a special way of life, different from the main culture they live in. Think of it as a smaller group inside a bigger one. This bigger, main culture is often called the "dominant" culture.

Sometimes, a subculture might even go against the main culture. When this happens, it can be called a counterculture. Subcultures have their own rules, values, and even special traditions. They often feel like a close-knit community.

What Makes a Subculture Different?

Subcultures can be unique for many reasons. These might include the age of their members, their background, where they live, or even their gender. What makes a subculture stand out can be their language, their style, their beliefs, or their location. Often, it's a mix of these things.

Members of a subculture often show they belong through their fashion style, certain behaviors, or even by using a secret language. This special language, sometimes called Argot, helps them talk to each other without outsiders understanding. Subcultures also have favorite places they gather, which can be seen as their "subcultural geographies."

Studying subcultures often means looking at the special meanings they give to their clothing, music, and other visible things. It also involves understanding how the main culture sees and understands these same symbols. People have been writing about subcultures for a long time. Sometimes, rules or laws have even been made to try and control groups that are seen as very different from the main society. But subcultures also like to talk about themselves and their unique ways.

Images for kids

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  Trekkies are a subculture of Star Trek fans.

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  Potato chip packages with hip hop subcultural designs, showing how different cultures can mix.