Punk: Subculture

The ideologies of punk:

Punk is frequently associated with left wing, progressive views. It has a reputation of being anarchic and anti-establishment, with many views being what, in modern society, would be deemed morally right. For example, being anti racism, anti sexism and anti homophobic. Along with this, other notable trends included vegetarianism, veganism, animal rights, socialism (common ownership; the resources of the world being owned by the entire global population), individualism ( stresses human independence and the importance of individual self-reliance and liberty), anti-statism (opposition to state intervention into personal, social, and economic affairs), anti-militarism, anti-capitalism, anti-nationalism and environmentalism.

Two punks - 1980's

For some punks, their body was a symbol of opposition, a political statement expressing disgust of all that was supposedly normal and accepted in society. The idea was to make others  question their own views. This made gender a popular factor to be played with. Men could look like women, women could look like men, or one could look like both or neither. In some ways, punk helped to tear apart the normalized view of gender. Punk created a new cultural space for  all kinds of gender expression.






However, some individuals within the punk subculture held right-wing and  neo-Nazi views. This was known as Nazi punk which was the same as punk-rock but with racist, sexist and homophobic lyrics in their music. However, some punks wore the swastika primarily for shock factor rather than anti-Semitic views.











Fashion:

Early punk fashion included ripped clothing which was held together by safety pins or wrapped with tape; ordinary clothing was customised by embellishing it with marker or adorning it with paint; a black bin liner became a dress, shirt or skirt; safety pins and razor blades were used as jewellery. Also popular have been leather, rubber, and vinyl clothing.

Some would wear tight "drainpipe" jeans, plaid/tartan trousers, kilts or skirts, T-shirts, leather jackets (which are often decorated with painted band logos, pins and buttons, and metal studs or spikes), and footwear such as Converse sneakers, skate shoes, brothel creepers, or Dr. Martens boots. Hair was often in Mohawks and included bright,unnatural colours.



Lifestyle:



Punks can be from any walk of life and of any class. In terms of its ideology its very equal in terms of gender 

Drugs are sometimes associated with punks and, in some cases, was true - inhalable solvents being a notable form of drug abuse. 'Glue sniffing' was a cheap high and adult disgust and hostility fuelled the use of substances as a shock factor. Furthermore, punk was also known for its abuse of alcohol and promiscuous sex reinforcing the idea of rebellion and against the mainstream majority.

On the other hand, punk introduced 'straight edge' It's adherents would refrain from excessive drugs, alcohol and in some stricter cases even promiscuous sex, caffeine, meat and prescription medicine - All stereotypical (and often truthful) aspects of punk.