Dysfunkcyjność społeczna – subkultury młodzieżowe

Abstract

The beginning of the 20th century can undoubtedly be described as the era of debate. Society which is deep in discussion, repeatedly strengthened by questioning authorities and social and moral values is so much occupied with itself that it has lost sight of what is most crucial – the prospects for the future: in this case – the young generation. There are more and more young people around us who could be described as “unadjusted” or “difficult”, to put it mildly. It is especially noticeable on large housing estates. Young people who have been abandoned and left to their own devices begin to organize themselves and create their own alternative environment – different form the official one. In this situation it is easy to predict what threatens contemporary youth, who don’t have firm moral values and opinions of the world, and in addition to this, are deprived of the support of real masters, spelt with at least lower case “m”. Most prevalent and dominant subcultures include the so called “blockers, tracksuit-wearers, skinheads, scarf-wearers, heavy metal fans, satanists, New Age followers, punks and hippies”. It might seem that if someone uses violence, or at least supports it, if they carry dangerous objects or weapons, then they must be determined and self-confident. Nothing could be more misleading! First of all people who belong to various subcultures do not have any self-esteem. As they are convinced of their inferiority and rejection by others, they experience constant anxiety. The research clearly indicates that at the basis of externally demonstrated boldness, arrogance and brutality lies insecurity, fear and lack of self-acceptance, which in turn results in deteriorating social contacts. Artificial and noisy acts of “marking” one’s place, attempts made to shock others have the purpose of numbing the nagging feeling of low self-esteem. Subculture groups give young people conditions for self-fulfillment. This fulfillment is obviously specifically understood. A subculture is also an attempt to look for collective identity, and through that also an individual identity, as everyone has the right to vote, to make a decision or to come up with an initiative. The phenomenon of subcultures is the result of pathology of the system of socialization and upbringing, which in turn stems from dysfunction of all social institutions, and most of all – family.