NCJ Number
124511
Journal
Police Journal Volume: 63 Issue: 1 Dated: (January-March, 1990) Pages: 50-57
Date Published
1990
Length
8 pages
Annotation
The historical development and subcultural responses of the Mods and the Skinheads in the 1960s is explored.
Abstract
The term "youth culture" was coined to mean the "reverse" of adult culture, giving great value to conspicuous consumption, hedonistic leisure, and irresponsibility. An alternative view argued that class position was the main determinant of adolescents' social behavior, and that a diversity of behavior existed in different classes. Mods were working-class kids that emulated the style of West Indians. They were obsessed with clothing and were said to live for leisure time. The Mods touched the raw nerves of post-war social change and the fear that some people were having it too good and too quickly. The Skinhead form of subculture was seen as dislocated from the traditional community and as a reflection of the worsening situation for the working-class. Their working-class style was exaggerated because of this dislocation and as such they exaggerated the parent culture. Both Mods and Skinheads attempted to retrieve some of the socially cohesive elements which had disappeared from the parent culture. 27 references. (Author abstract modified)