Sociology and subcultures: culture, identity, and social groups

Subcultures

According to Schaefer, "each culture has a unique character," but this character is the result of the variety of "subcultures" found within a culture. (Schaefer, 2009, p. 69) The term "subculture" may have come into the common vernacular in the 1950's, but for more than sixty years it has had an ever evolving definition. As scientists perform more research into subcultures, they have constantly updated their definition to match their research data. However, in general "subcultures" are groups of people who share certain characteristic ways of thinking and acting while existing within a larger culture. (Jenks, 2005, p.7) In modern society there are numerous subcultures filled with individuals who share a variety of common characteristics, from stamp collecting to sports. However, one particular subculture that has developed a somewhat unwarranted bad reputation is the community of bikers. While some bikers follow the stereotypical "rough-rider" character, involving themselves in outrageous, criminal, or immoral behavior, the majority of bikers are normal, ordinary law-abiding folk who also happen to be motorcycle enthusiasts. This is a subculture that I have been proud to be a member for a number of years.

The more one associates with bikers the more one will pick up the slang that most bikers use when discussing motorcycles. For example, most bikers refer to motorcycles as "bikes," and sometimes with more specific terms like "chopper" or "rocket." While most non-bikers, or "civilians," may use the term "helmet," and advocate its use, most bikers do not like to wear a "brain bucket." Since my bike is an older, well worn machine, I like to refer to my bike as an old "war horse," and often enjoy "thrashing it" by engaging in long rides.

Most bikers share a common bond the enjoyment of the open road. Bikers do not enjoy being "cooped" up in traffic and value the freedom a bike can provide. In fact, many bikers associate freedom with the open road and the ability to travel, exposed to nature, wherever and whenever they want. It is difficult to describe the feeling of absolute freedom bikers experience when traveling. However, riding a bike is not always the safest of ways to travel, and every biker shares the experience of either crashing, or coming very close to a "spill." With freedom comes the responsibility to maintain the highest level of safety, but also the danger of riding a small vehicle in a world of SUV's, vans, trucks, and cars. Most bikers also share the loss of a friend or acquaintance in an accident.