YOUTH SUBCULTURES

Youth Subculture: a minority youth culture whose distinctiveness depended largely on the social class, ethnic background, a particular music genre, clothing styles, hairstyles and footwear. However, intangible elements, such as common interests, dialects and slang, and gathering places can also be an important factor.

CLIP FORM MEAN GIRLS


At a local high school hangout spot, I asked a group of kids to name off the different subcultures they see in the school. They shot off seven or eight different groups; Goths, Emos, Jocks, Preps, Nerds, Wanna-be-Gangsters, Band and Drama Geeks, etc… I was surprise that they didn’t mention one of the largest subcultures in the school. Christians.
In the high school, every year there seems to always be a large group of Christians that flock together and walk side-by-side like they’re team captains walking out into the middle of the field together. They have a special connection that others don’t have. They have The Holy Spirit. They have the love of Christ in their hearts. They have a common Book that they all read. They go to the same churches. They attend the same youth group. They hear the same messages. They listen to the same Worship songs. They love the same Christian bands. They listen to the same Christian radio station. They hung out last night playing the same board game. They pray the same prayers for the same friend. They play the same sports and star in the same dramas. They sing the same songs in Choir. They studied together for the same test. They have crushes on the same boys and girls. They go on the same mission trips, youth retreats, and summer camps. These kids do all things together so they can grow closer to the Lord together.
Just like the Christians, the others subcultures are doing things together as well. The Goths are huffing paint. The Emos are cutting themselves. The Jocks are getting wasted at a party. The preps are wasting there money on material things. The nerds just wish someone would talk to them. The wanna-be-gangsters are rolling blunts and talking about pimpin hoes. And the band and drama geeks are sharing the latest piece of gossip.
So as far as blending in, the Christian subculture has done a pretty good job. According to the kids I talked to at the high school hangout spot, they don't even notice them.