Sociocultural differentiation as a basis for generation of subcultures

The article focuses on the problem of subcultures, which are investigated by the author in the context of structural functionalism. Considering society as a form of a structured social system, the article substantiates the position that under the influence of the processes of social and cultural differentiation, as well as due to segmentation, separate local communities, called subcultures, are formed in it. The reliance on the theoretical concepts of scientists studying society from the standpoint of the structural-functional approach allowed the author to substantiate the conditions for the genesis of subcultures and reveal their essential features in terms of the implementation of certain functions. In relation to society, they perform the functions of reproduction, regulation, interaction, socialization, identification, value-normative and behavioral orientation. At the same time, subcultures are capable of generating dysfunctional processes in society and culture associated with disintegration, discord, and sociocultural separation.