[Author’s note: this is an edited version of a journal post that I wrote in 2010]
Sub cultures are interesting if just for the reason that they describe the way people attempt to deal with their immediate surroundings and circumstances by forming coalitions amongst themselves. Using outward symbols such as speech, dress, and behavior help bind these groups together and set them apart. The need to belong to something, even if it is a small sub cultural group, is strong in humans. In ancient times this may have led to the beginnings of clans and tribes
Some people however delve deeper into their sub-culture. They eat, live, breathe the culture and without it they would figuratively cease to exist.
In the American lexicon there exists the expression “Jewish American princess”. Typically it refers to a shallow, materialistic, young female (Jewish in this case) that is distinct enough to categorize. Generally it is thought of as an offensive term though some take pride in the label. These young ladies will generally band together to share their thoughts, dress alike, talk alike, gossip, make plans, and generally just hang out together. To some extent their world view is shaped by their self-identity and they will generally scorn or eschew anything or anyone that contradicts that. Whereas others might put away this identity for leisure time they live this identity all the time.
At first I thought this to be a unique circumstance but looking around you begin to realize the term prince or princess can be applied to any individual that is so subsumed, so deep into their sub culture to the exclusion of all other things, that in a sense nothing else exists. The self-identity affects not only the outward appearance but also in their speech and their thought process.
In Texas for example you have the cowboy sub culture. The cowboy prince or princess will generally dress in jeans or western wear for work or play. The symbols of the sub culture show up in every aspect of their lives. The boots, that hat (though most save these for social occasions), the music, the food, even the vehicle (pick up trucks or full size trucks) are all relics of that sub culture. But the changes are not just outward but inward as well. Their point of view favors more rural attitudes, more traditional opinions as to social issues, and derision of anything that does not conform to the lifestyle.
Goths princes are another good example. They tend to be more urban, they favor certain types of clothes, certain music and ideas. Again, they tend to scorn things outside of their world view.
But sub-cultures are not solely limited to choices of music or clothes. Just about every aspect of human endeavor can be sub-culturized. I have seen sub-cultures based around computers, the Air Force, fitness, religion, science, wine, boats, cars, even blogging. Just about anything you can name has a sub-culture. Of course in all of these you will find the princess and princesses.
Although I’ve taken an interest in various sub-cultures I was never able to fully integrate into any sub culture as deeply as one of these individuals. I could never take that final step and say I will fully and totally join in to the exclusion of all other things. It’s something that I was always leery of but also envied to an extent.
I should explain that last part. When you fully take on that sub culture you know what you’re about. The parameters of your world are fully developed and you know how far you can safely wander away and how to get back to safety. I imagine that this is comforting to some people.
But it comes at a price. You artificially limit yourself. Not only is your individuality compromised but there is no room to grow beyond the parameters of that sub-culture.
My individuality was always more important to me. I could not allow that to fade into the background of a sub-culture. I could also not limit myself to a limited pattern of thought. I cannot claim to be totally unbiased but such an artificial limit on my mind is unacceptable.
I chose a life outside the sub-cultures. But there is a price to be paid by those of us that walk outside the lines.
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