1. Subculture and Counterculture
Sociology 12
Subculture and Counterculture

2. Outcome
•Investigate the existence of subcultures and countercultures in Canadian society.

3. Subculture Definition of Subculture:
a. the cultural values and behavioral patterns distinctive of a particular group in a society.
b. a group having social, economic, ethnic, or other traits distinctive enough to distinguish it from others within the same culture or society.

4. Subculture
Perceived as having both positive and negative effects on society.

5. Social Divide
Subcultures can exist or divide through a multitude of dimensions :
Social class
Ethnic or racial background
Religion
Social groups and clubs

6. Subcultures
How do you perceive the effects of subculture within your environment?
Are you a member of a subculture? If so, what role do you believe that it plays in your social interactions?

7. Subculture can be defined by
Tools and Equipment
(video)
Rituals/ Tradition
Values/ Norms
Dress
Language

8. Subculture in Canada Generally perceived in a positive manner
Its what makes Canadian culture so unique
Cultural mosaic
Strengthens social groups (a sense of belonging)

9. Counterculture
the culture and lifestyle of those people, especially among the young, who reject or oppose the dominant values and behavior of society.

10. Counterculture Can have negative societal effects
Can have a negative origin
Exists on a multitude of levels (political, personal, social, etc)

11. Extreme reactions to Counterculture
FLQ , 1960’s
Skinheads
Hells Angels
Hippies

12. The FLQ FLQ stands for Front de Libération du Québec Separatists
This was a group of radical nationalists that began in the 1960's
This group believed that armed insurrection of violent rebellion was what they had to do to achieve their goals.
October Crisis 1970

13. Extremist Counterculture
Terrorists attacks are an extreme example of how counterculture can destroy the very glue that bonds society together, our sense of security and unity.

14. Skinheads White supremacists
Known for racial hatred, but extends to gender and beyond.
No known national organization but linked to gang affiliates: Heritage Front (1989), Aryan Resistance Movement, Northern Hammerskins.

15. Hells Angels Motorcycle club
Linked to organized crime, murder, drugs, extortion, etc.
Widely feared.
Motto "When we do right, nobody remembers. When we do wrong, nobody forgets".

16. Government
From a political perspective Counterculture materializes in society according to government/societal approval.
Adverse political decisions can lead to a distinct counter-culture

17. Counterculture in the 1960s
One of the truest forms of perceived counterculture in the 60’s was the development of a society of people who were referred to as hippies.
These individuals were seen as counter productive to the goals/ways of North American society.