Subcultures as Forms of Collective Identity and Social Resistance

The article examines subcultures, which are a dynamic social phenomenon reflecting the diversity of human experience, the desire for self-expression and the search for alternative forms of social organization. Subcultures arise as a response to social, economic and cultural changes, being, on the one hand, a means of adaptation, and on the other, a form of protest and expression of independence on the part of young people. The article analyzes subcultures as a form of representation of class and racial conflict. Subcultures arise when a dominant ideology loses control and marginalized groups create alternative meanings. Modern youth subcultures represent unique forms of collective identity, expressing alternative values, norms, symbols and lifestyles within the framework of a common culture. The article shows that subcultures in the media environment often do not have clear boundaries, they have turned into “post-subcultures”. The study of various types of subcultures allows us to better understand the mechanisms of socialization among young people, conflicts of values of social groups and the processes of personality identification, and analyze their role in social dynamics.