How can subcultural theories help understand lifestyle, life chances and identity formation in so-called urban “ghettos”? ...[Show More]
2 years ago
A subculture is
a phenomenon that entails a theoretical definition. Subcultures have for long
been misunderstood through the conceptual basis that forms the framework for
their definition. Literature suggests that subcultures cannot be defined unless
they are created and are in existence. Consequently, there are no predetermined criteria for categorizing
or defining subcultures. They can only be defined after existence using the class, age, geographical borders, and race (Wacquant, 1998). The study
of subcultures is mainly involved with the interest in the diversity of
cultural formations within urban areas. Subcultures have since become a very interesting
phenomenon forming the basis of studies on what it is that ties people together
to a certain subculture.
In an effort to understand how subcultural theories
assist in the comprehension of different aspects of culture, one would have to
delve deeper into a specific subculture. This paper will try to analyze the
significance of subcultural theories in the betterment of the comprehension of
lifestyles, life changes and identity formations in so-called “urban” ghettos. In order to achieve this, a deep understanding of the so-called urban ghettos needs
to be established. Then, and only then, can one look at a cultural formation in
urban areas and understand how the concept of subcultural theories shines light
upon various aspects of cultural formations.
Furthermore, concepts of subcultural theories have
proved to be helpful in understanding the different cultural formations that
exist. Concepts of subcultural theories are however treated as abstract
concepts due to the apparent lack of sufficient material to prove or define the
boundaries of a given subculture. One major concept of subcultural theories is
the communication-interlocks. This concept thrives on arguing that there are types of interactions that significantly
facilitate the dynamism and diversification of subcultures (Schmalleger &
Volk, 2014). The concept includes ideas like Idio-cultures, interactions
between powerful members of a subculture, weak ties and societies that
privilege certain interpretations of a subcultural milieu. The concept of
communication-interlocks has been employed sufficiently in this paper to guide
the investigation on how subcultural theories assist in understanding the
different aspects of cultural formations.
Urban ghettos are defined as urban areas whose
population mostly consists of minorities. The minorities include people who
have suffered for long under economic, legal or social pressure (Schmalleger,
& Volk, 2013). Most urban ghettos are
occupied by blacks. In America, most of the black population resides in the
ghettos (Wacquant, 1998). Looking at the history
of the term ghetto, one realizes its long history in Venice where it was
first used to mean an area where the Jewish
community was segregated and restricted. From its historical origin, the term
ghetto has been used to define an area inhabited by a part of the population
that has been kept apart from the greater community.
Essentially, urban ghettos are mostly populated by the
black community. The black community has a rich historical connection with the
hip hop subculture. The hip-hop
subculture was formed due to the need to rebel against the white majority of
the community. The hip hop culture was also aimed at fighting oppression and
historical injustices they suffer. The injustice which has had an adverse economic influence on the black community. Therefore,
there are sufficient reasons why the black community, living in the urban
ghettos has identified itself with the hip hop subculture.
There are mainly three theories that can be used to
explain how subcultural theories assist in explaining the different aspects of
cultural formations. The theories include social disorganization, strain, and cultural conflict theories. Social
conflict theory defines the society as an organism from a perspective of
deviance and crime where crime and deviance are a disease affecting the
organism. Consequently, using this particular concept of subcultural theories,
one may understand the existing lifestyle, life changes and identities in the
urban ghettos.
For instance, social disorganization theory shows that
in low-class subcultures which are present in the so-called urban ghettos, Violence has become an accepted lifestyle.
This violent lifestyle is learned from
emphasizes of the specific subculture and certain circumstances individuals
face when they live in urban ghettoes. According to Schmalleger & Volk (2014), a low-class subculture is depicted
by a tradition with a distinctive pattern
which has been established for long and has an integrity of its own.
Considering the urban ghettos to belong to a low-class subcultural, one would
understand the large body of values that has essentially been designed to
support and thereby maintain a low-class
basic way of life. Through the comprehension of the body of values that is
identified with low-class cultures that are present in the urban ghetto, one
can understand be able to visualize the existing connection between a cultural
formation and the lifestyles, life changes and identities that relate to a
certain cultural formation.
Subcultures theories are therefore very significant in
the comprehension of a various phenomenon
that arises from the cultural formation
which results to a subculture. The
cultural implications of the urban ghettos can be expressed or rather explained
through the subcultural theories that surround cultural formations in the so-called urban ghettos.
References
Schmalleger and Volk (2014) Subcultural theory.
Schmalleger, F. J., & Volk, R. (2013). Canadian
criminology today: Theories and applications. Pearson Education Canada.
Wacquant, L. (1998). Inside the Zone The Social Art of
the Hustler in the Black American Ghetto. Theory, Culture & Society, 15(2),
1-36.
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