The Dynamics of Cultural Rebellion

Cultural rebellion can be loosely defined as an act of behaviour that resembles the opposite of societal normality, but remains within the general scope of acceptable or workable personality types. With few exceptions, it carries a sense of intelligentsia with the social groupings and interests within. In this manner, an alternative subculture is a direct cultural rebellion until it forms its own self fulfilling movement of artists and ambassadors within the trend to become accepted as a main form of alternative style. The borderline between culturally rebellious and alternative mainstream can become blurred, and sometimes non-existent within certain media styles. Behaviour is moderated by culturally rebellious people, and for the most of this group, normal life can run side by side with the moral protest that symbolises their style.


It is within cultural rebellion that clothing style and music choice take major roles in the definition of which way a person can be identified within their alternative movement. The diversity of the many neo-tribes that dominate the nightlife and gig scene means that within given movements, many sub-sects can be drawn up from each. Within these subsections of cultural grouping are social circles that gravitate towards one establishment type or another, and these mingle in their jointly preferred venues. The extreme of both sides will not generally go into each others other preferred venues and establishments, so the middle ground areas generally provide the mixing room for the crossing over of ideas and themes.


There has been a distinctive growth in subculture that contains culturally rebellious themes but coincides with working life. Establishments such as alternative medicine, alternative eating, and alternative schooling groups provide a method of behaving in a manner which is not culturally deemed the most appropriate or the most able to meet the needs of the whole. There usually lies a firm belief that in an ideal world the normality would include the extra lines of thinking provided by these movements, and possibly in some cases their presence is what allows society to gradually evolve to implement new thinking into its main function.


Within alternative movements of cultural rebellion, the societal norms can carry through in ways such as class tradition and communication style. The areas of life in which a person is brought up will reflect on their life within their chosen identity crowd, and this will not always be the same as others who also choose this crowd to associate with. This breeds division and differences in ideal within tightly knit groups, and although usually not an issue, can become fuel for argument in tense situations. A certain level of agreement of respect and use of language is generally preferred in most establishments and venues, but there are a few places which cater for clients with less regard for formalities such as those.


Of the various categorical styles of cultural rebellion, the four predominant aspects can be summarised as follows. Delinquency is caused by the total withdrawal from the social norms and attitudes required to get on with every day life. It is generally only in this category where individuals will become established in harmful behaviours and cause concern for the safety and quality of life of those around them. Bohemianism is the cultivation of a lifestyle that rejects the general methodology of society in the manifestation of alternative lifestyle choices and mechanisms for getting by. Within the bohemian styles is a subsection of existentialism that although remains in the boundaries of well groomed and acceptable to society as a whole, will tend to gravitate towards delinquent behaviour when the mood is set. Finally, the radical forms of cultural rebellion are those who focus their act of protest at one particular facet of society, and attack its normalcy by manner of doing something totally different. This can manifest in various forms, but generally has a political bias.


Within the establishment of a cultural rebellion, it perhaps seems adequate that an individual finds solace in the notion of group mentality when faced with an unwillingness or inability to cope with given protocol. Discovering that there is another way and it might not require so much of a particular set of skills or psychological basis, many perhaps find themselves drawn to movements. This is when they become exposed to the numerous alternative thinking pattens and styles offered within their scene and the choices made to gravitate towards one or more various outlets of expression takes place over this time. Bonds can quickly form as the backdrop for experience remains fairly continuous throughout the development of identity.
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