There are two theories regarding the origins of subcultures. Some argue that subculture is an integral part of adolescent development. In this context, one can quote the words of the French Prime Minister from 1847-1848, François Guizot: "Whoever is not a republican at twenty has no heart; whoever is a republican after thirty has no head."
5Undoubtedly, the idea that subculture is merely a phase of growing up sounds true, and it certainly has its proponents, as during youth, individuals actively seek their identity and often oppose society or its established norms.
However, there are alternative viewpoints that emphasize that the emergence of subcultures is always preceded by a historical foundation. In other words, subcultures do not arise from a vacuum but are always a response to social, economic, or political conditions.
6 7For instance, subcultures like punks or hippies emerged as reactions to specific socio-political events – the Vietnam War, social injustice, and conservative values that, in the eyes of the youth, did not align with their expectations and visions for the future.
Overall, any changes in society affect everyone; however, they are most dynamically reflected in the younger generation.
Therefore, this socio-cultural phenomenon must be viewed through the lens of the concept of cohort (a group of people born in the same period). Each subculture forms within a specific historical and social context, where a cohort of individuals united by similar values, interests, or circumstances creates a distinct cultural community. The cohort can serve as the foundation for the birth of a subculture, which then develops, transforms, and localizes, splintering into narrower groups.
8Historically, subcultures began to form under the influence of social changes and upheavals. The first deviations from tradition appeared in the USA and Britain, later rapidly spreading across Western Europe.
One key moment was the post-war era, particularly the 1950s and 1960s, which marked the emergence of new youth trends. Significant societal changes occurred during this time: the hippie era, followed by the Woodstock rock festival and the beginning of the sexual revolution.
9Thus, subculture is a form of rebellious stance by individuals. Rebellion, in turn, manifests in various ways: through clothing style, music, ideology, lifestyle, or political views, among others.
During Soviet times, subcultures were suppressed and eliminated, as they contradicted the myth of the "Soviet person" and allowed "dissident thinking" to infiltrate the young and impressionable minds of the "Soviet people."
However, ultimately, if we disregard the interpretations of communist dogmas, despite certain restrictions, subcultures did occasionally arise. The "big brother" system was not designed for "self-publishing," "there-publishing," films, radio, and especially – music (which is the most powerful propaganda tool, as unlike images that capture a fixed moment, it can continue indefinitely, creating a lasting impact on the listener).
0The first subcultures emerged in the 1950s and were called "stilyagi." They emulated the American way of life, dressing flamboyantly and listening to jazz or rock music. Later, in the 1970s, the hippie culture penetrated behind the "iron curtain," followed by the emergence of beatniks (fans of "The Beatles"), punks, and rockers. With the collapse of the union, new cultural trends flooded in, leading to the emergence of the first metalheads, ravers, skinheads, bikers, hipsters, emos, and goths in Ukraine during the 1990s.
1With the development of globalization, as well as digitalization, the familiar society, composed of numerous groups, began to fill with even more new trends. Paradoxically, globalization, which unites the world, also contributes to its localization or fragmentation into smaller groups. With the rise of the internet and social media, people are no longer territorially bound to communities but engage with them virtually, making the modern world highly fragmented.
Today, Ukrainian society is saturated with various subcultures; however, this article will address the most dominant countercultures: offniki, skaters, altushki, hallyu, quadrabers, and gamers.
So, who are they?
Offniki
This subculture emerged in Ukraine in the early 2010s and became part of the "street fights" phenomenon. Their culture revolves around aggressive behavior. Theoretically, one could say that offniki replaced gopniki, but that would be an overly simplistic view. The difference between these two cultures lies in the existence of a certain ideology. While offniki have specific goals, gopniki do not.
2The origin of the word "offnik" is not entirely clear. One theory suggests it relates to football fans, specifically that the abbreviation comes from the Russian "OkoloFutbol," which refers to groups of people involved in fights and activities surrounding football matches.
In any case, offniki consider strength to be an important value. Their primary activity consists of organized fights, referred to as "zabivy," where two groups meet for a demonstrative physical conflict.
Offniki typically wear sports outfits and branded clothing, such as Adidas and Nike.
Skaters
This subculture focuses on an activity, namely – skateboarding. Young people wear loose and functional clothing that allows them not only to perform physical actions but also to connect themselves with a sense of freedom and independence.
3They often skate in urban environments: on stairs, curbs, parapets, and other elements of the urban landscape. Skaters are constantly seeking to improve their skills. Basic tricks that a skater should be able to perform include "ollie" (a trick where the body and board lift into the air without using hands), "grind" (sliding on the front truck while facing away from the obstacle), "manual" (riding on the back wheels), and others.
4In 2020, skateboarding made its debut as an Olympic sport at the Tokyo Olympics and was also included in the program for 2024.
Thus, skateboarding can be more than just a hobby or activity; it is also a serious discipline that requires a high level of physical fitness and technical skill.
Altushki
Members of this subculture are characterized by an eccentric style of dress that incorporates elements from various fashion trends, emphasizing individuality and creativity. The altushki style is not focused on any one direction, as it is a mix of styles such as punk, goth, grunge, and more.
5Musical preferences among altushki vary from indie rock and post-punk to electronic music and hip-hop. This subculture often expresses psychological suffering, linking it to the "dead inside" culture, suggesting a lack of meaning in life.
Hallyu
The phenomenon of this subculture originates from Korean culture, which gained popularity in the 1990s due to Korean pop music (K-pop), cinema, and television. Soon, Korean culture transformed into a global phenomenon due to the explosive popularity of K-pop in the early 2010s, particularly following the success of groups like BTS and BLACKPINK. The term "hallyu" literally translates to "Korean wave."
6Hallyu is united by a shared interest in Korean culture, which can manifest in an interest in Korean music, dramas (Korean series), Korean fashion, and more.
7One of the most popular methods of expressing this subculture is through cosplay (imitation), which allows fans to embody their favorite characters from Korean dramas, anime, and games. Festivals like Comic-Con are regularly held in Ukraine, where cosplayers gather.
Quadrabers
This unique subculture emerged in Ukraine at the intersection of physical activity, social media, and the youth's desire for unconventional self-expression. The essence of this subculture lies in movement on all fours, resembling animal movements. It includes acrobatic tricks and obstacle navigation.
8This subculture has its roots in quadrabics – a movement technique developed by Japanese Kenichi Ito, who aimed to mimic animal movements and even set a world record for crawling. His achievements inspired some individuals, and through social media, particularly TikTok and Instagram, quadrabics quickly spread and gained popularity among youth in various countries.
9Gamers
This subculture is often confused with cyber goths, who advocate for transhumanism (a movement promoting the use of science and technology to enhance human capabilities), free internet, high technology, and industrial style. However, the essence of gamers lies in their passion for video games. Gamers form a diverse group, including both amateurs who