Dominant vs Subculture
Sociology: AQA A Level, topic 3.1.2
Dominant Culture vs Subculture
Culture is passed on between generations via socialisation and culture acts as the link between individuals and society.
Dominant culture
- The main culture in society which is shared or generally accepted by the majority of people is known as the dominant culture.
- Marxists view the dominant culture as reflecting the interests of the rich and powerful (the ruling or dominant class).
- Feminists see the dominant culture as patriarchal and reflecting the power and control of men.
Subculture
- A subculture is a small culture within the dominant culture and may have different norms and values while having many aspects in common.
Example
- Examples of subcultures include youth subcultures (including pro- and anti-school subcultures and ones based around music preference or style of dress).
Oppositions
- Subcultures often emerge through the experience of socialisation of different groups and can sometimes be in active opposition to the dominant culture.
- For example, anti-school subcultures resist the dominant values of the school.