NCJ Number
121325
Journal
Youth and Society Volume: 21 Issue: 2 Dated: (December 1989) Pages: 207-237
Date Published
1989
Length
31 pages
Annotation
This field study of the Canadian West Coast "punk" subculture is an exploration of the street life of an adolescent subculture.
Abstract
A participant observation approach was used to obtain data. Data were collected through a combination of unstructured interviews with all 35 members of the subculture, and field notes were kept on members' activities, interactions, and physical appearance. Only 12 members of the subculture resided in their parents' homes. Fourteen members of the subculture rented their own residences. Nine members of the subculture lived on the street, did not work, and relied on various methods of survival, including illegal activities. Data pertain to subcultural locations, daily activities, living on the street, relations with the public, interaction with social control agents, subcultural violence, and punk music and "gigs." The findings indicate that the activities of the youth subculture represent and are consequences of resistance to the dominant culture. Some members are engaging in a resistance that allows them to continue school and family membership while participating in the subculture. Others exhibit more extreme signs of resistance by not attending school, not living in their parents' homes, and living on the street. Resistance to the dominant culture has led to the adoption of a marginal socioeconomic lifestyle. 7 notes, 61 references.