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Table. Difference between modern and postmodern approaches to subculture
MODERN ERA POSTMODERN ERA
Clear group identity Fragmented, dispersed identity

Stylistic homogeneity Stylistic heterogeneity, plurality
Rigid observance of subcultural Flexible blurring of subcultural
boundaries boundaries

Subculture is seen as main identity Many stylistic identities
High degree of identification Low degree of identification
Membership seen as permanent Membership seen as temporary

Low degree of subcultural mobility Temporary anity for subculture
Emphasis on convictions and values Fascination with style and image

Political expression of resistance Apolitical sensibility
Antagonism toward media, lack of trust Positive perceptions of media
Authentic (self-perception) Awareness of inauthenticity

Of particular interest are youth subcultures as they play an important role in
contemporary culture. They perform special functions. Subculture gives

conditional, "magic" solution to youth problems generated by socio-economic
contradictions. It offers a style, values, an ideology that can be used to create a
specific identity beyond the boundaries attributed to social origin and status. The

youth subculture is mastered through the immediate social environment or under
the influence of mass communication. The expressive elements of the subculture
make it possible to form meaningful leisure.

It is necessary to recognize the youth subcultures' role in helping young
people in solving their specific problems – without such recognition it is
impossible to explain the regular appearance of new youth structures and their
extraordinary attractiveness for a certain part of adolescents and youth. Subculture,

in the first place, helps, albeit illusory, to solve young people's psychological
problems. A disadvantage of subcultures is that they concentrate on secondary
problems, and the initial socio-economic problems are not affected.

Among subcultures of young people in the 1950-80s in the West,
subcultures of young workers of the working class (Teddy boys, fashion, rockers,
skinheads, football fans, punks) and subcultures of the middle classes (beatniks and

hippies) can be distinguished. Many of these varieties of youth subculture exist
nowadays. The names of subcultures, as a rule, reflect some kind of appearance or
behaviour. Teddy boys got their name because of copying a style of youth clothing

from aristocratic circles ("Teddy" is a reduced version of the name of British
Prince Edward), rockers - for the love of rock and roll, and the shaving-pads – for a

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