The Function of Subculture

In “The Function or Subculture” Dick Hebdige gives a very detailed account on how subcultures are formed, as well as what constitutes a given subculture. Hebdige defines a subculture as a group of individuals that share similar taste, consumption pattern, style etc. that differ from the social norm, or natural culture in which most individuals are adapt to. He explains the formation of subculture as a group of individuals willing to “transgress laws of mans second nature by repositioning and recontextualizing commodities by subverting their conventional uses and inventing new ones.” This example reminded directly of the ideology we have discussing in class regarding decontextualization of art as well as aura. While Hebdige seems to remain generally unbiased in this work, his idea of what constitutes a subculture reminded me of Hall’s work and the concepts of encoding and decoding, in relation to an individuals interpretation of media. Although Hebdige is focusing on commodities opposed to media such as television, it seems he an Hall share the same ideas of individuals interpreting or decontextualizing due to their culture, or in this case, subculture.

Hebdige also emphasizes style and fashion as a defining feature of a subculture, while also leading to it’s slow demise. For example the safety pin wearing punk culture, or the mods more simple form of dress. He also describes how these types of looks, subculture created styles, become more mainstream or “trendy” as clothing companies and corporations begin to manufacture these unique types of clothing. Eventually, however, fashion that was only associated with a particular subculture becomes mainstream, for example a designer collection that includes bedazzled safety pins as an accessory. Ultimately a style that belonged to only an obscure subculture becomes a mainstream fad which leads to the subculture’s demise since it is no longer apart from the social norm but has, itself, become the social norm.

Hebdige also mentions the importance of the media in making subcultures public. He uses many examples from periodicals to convey this point, emphasizing the growth of subcultures due to exposure in the media. Hebdige explains the positive and negative effects of media on subculture by, again, using punk culture as an example. He explains a newspaper article in which punk culture is encouraged and embraced in family life, while also describing an article ridiculing punks and blaming punk culture for the beating of a young boy.

Essentially, Hebdige conveys his points on subculture through clear examples, communicating the idea of a subculture as a means or branching off and recontextualizing social norms or natural culture and creating new unique culture.