Subcultural styles in adolescence

Young peoples' protest against conditions in society as a whole is increasingly carried out by way of provocative style formations, i.e. on the symbolic-expressive level. The intellectual conflict, as it still occurs partially in alternative movements, seems to lose its attractiveness amongst the young people. By means of a critical reflection of the dominant concept "culture" and of the predominant cultural significance patterns an attempt is made at deciphering subcultural styles (mods, teds, punks, etc.) as a symbolic form of criticism and rejection towards the prevalent order. The class-specific subcultural style formation is discussed as well as the role of the mass mediae in reference to their spread over all walks of life, internationalization and social collection. Young peoples' subcultures can be seen in their creating and trying-out of alternative standards of living as important orientation helps for the development of a collective and personal identity. This function gains particular significance considering the psychological concept of adolescence as being a particularly vulnerable phase in man's biographic course and the problematic position of modern industrial society discussed from the sociological side under the catchword "Colonialization of the life world (Lebenswelt)" (Habermas 1981).