1. What is a sub-culture?
Definition: A group which differentiates itself from the masses through its own styles and tastes
Stereotypes: A widely held but oversimplified image or idea of a person, group or thing
Subcultures are victims of stereotypes more than mainstream cultures. The media often draws on stereotypes of particular groups to paint them in a poor light

2. Bodgies and Widgies (from 1950s-1960s)
The Australian version of a Teddy Boy (UK) or Greaser (US) culture. The original teenage “rebel” culture
SMH (1951): What with “bodgies” growing their hair long and getting around in satin shirts and “weegies” cutting their hair short and wearing jeans, confusion seems to be arising about the sex of some Australian adolescents”
Stereotypes: troublemakers, street fighters, love alcohol, rock ‘n’ roll music and cars, look up to Elvis and James Dean, trying to be American, dishonest

3. Hippies (from late 1960s)
The musical “Hair” popularised the hippie movement, which was linked to anti-war and civil rights protests. Spawned first music festivals in Australia
“They were carrying signs that said ‘make love, not war’. The only trouble was they didn’t look capable of doing either’- Ronald Reagan (US President)
Stereotypes: take lots of drugs, unemployed, protest everything, sexually “free”, nudists, share possessions

4. Punks (from 1970s)
Reject consumerism, celebrate rebellion. Inspired by The Sex Pistols and The Clash (UK) and The Ramones (US). Brisbane was the centre of the early punk scene in response to the right-wing, conservative, unequal society
Seen as dangerous people who want to bring down the government and disrupt society
Stereotypes: violent, swear a lot, hate society, angry, support anarchy

5. Surfers (from 1960s)
Influenced by The Beach Boys from the US. Surfing was reintroduced to Australia in 1914 but only developed a cult following in the 1960s
(scroll down to ‘Surf Culture hits Australia in the 1960s)’
Stereotypes: unemployed, stoners, attractive, sleep around, travel a lot, drive a panel van,, long bleached hair

6. Skaters (from 1960s)
Popularised in the 1960s as a winter alternative to surfing, then became huge in the 1970s. First skating bowl in Victoria was built in Doveton in 1979.
(1976)
Stereotypes: dangerous sport, risk-takers, criminals, drop-outs, trespass

7. Metalheads (from 1980s)
The term was first used in the 1980s and has been popular ever since
Media often links metal to violence, after Columbine High School Massacre (1999), Marilyn Manson’s music was blamed for inspiring violence
Stereotypes: always wear black, drink a lot of beer, long hair, usually white males, dislike fakes and posers, loud, violent

8. Task
Create a profile of one of the subcultures mentioned, or another subculture not listed (approved by teacher)
Include:
Name and description of subculture
Time they were popular
Examples of International bands (5+) & Australian bands (5+)
Fashion styles- list and then draw two examples
Influential films that the subculture may have been influenced by
Attitude/view of the world