Difference Between Subculture and Counterculture

The main difference between Subculture and Counterculture is that Subculture refers to the small group present in a large cultural group while Counterculture is a group of people against the main culture.

Subculture vs Counterculture

Subculture means another cultural group in the existing group while the counterculture group are the people with a different ideology that does not correspond to the ideology of the main culture. The people of the subcultures follow the rules of the main culture and share the same values, while the people of the counterculture are against the rules of the main culture and are not willing to share the same values. In the subculture, people are happy with the existing regulations, while in the counterculture, people are against the regulations of the main culture and try to change them.

People are not protesting against their existing culture in the subculture group, while people are actively protesting against the main culture in the counterculture. In the case of subculture, people are happy to live with the main cultural community. In the case of the counterculture, people are very much against and unhappy with the rules of the dominant culture. Subculture groups are based on the same interests and likes, while counterculture groups are based on the same interests and dislikes. The subculture has no political implications. The counterculture has political implications.

In the subculture, people’s behavior is normal and in a positive sense. In the counterculture, people engage in negative behavior that deviates from social norms and values. In the subculture, people accept the dominant culture. In the counterculture, people are not even ready to accept the dominant culture. People in the subculture have different norms but accept the dominant culture and follow its rules. People in the counterculture have norms and values ​​that are incompatible with the dominant culture.

Comparison chart

What is subculture?

A subculture is a small group of people who share their ideology and values ​​with the dominant culture. The people of the subculture also have their own set of rules and some regulations that show their own identity. Subculture groups do not go against the dominant culture. However, they have their own rules and other capabilities or identity that can distinguish them from the dominant culture. For example, a youth group may be a subculture; a group in college can also be a subculture, a music culture group, a bodybuilding group, etc.

People in subcultures exhibit their own style, clothing, rules and regulations, language, etc. These values ​​also reflect the dominant culture. Therefore, we can say that the subculture is not opposed to the dominant culture or the main culture. Some subcultures also have their own language or vocabulary that can only be understood by members of the group. Additionally, some companies also bring up some subcultural groups within a company to help in the running of the company. These groups are also called organization groups. The subculture is not a threat and does not influence the negative effect on society.

Small companies are not widely distributed, but large companies like to create clusters of subcultures. People from a particular subculture group will change their appearance and adapt some changes to represent a particular group. The subculture group normally develops in people who share the same interests and the same ideology, for example, music, trends, hobbies and anything through which people get inspired and admit to changing their lifestyle.

What is the counterculture?

In the counterculture, the ideology and other concepts of the group of people are always opposed to the main culture. As we know, they are not even willing to share some values ​​and are always active in protesting against the dominant culture to change its rules and regulations according to their own wishes. For example, during the Vietnam War, the hippie movement of people against the United States and protesting against the government for their desired values. People begin to live outside established social norms and values.

People from countercultures have their set of rules and they start to exhibit negative behavior and show an intentional desire to separate themselves from the main culture and reject the dominant cultural rules and values. Infect, they show an active and harsh protest against the dominant culture. In such a counterculture situation, the people in the group are very much against the main culture of a specific community. However, there are members in a community who stick to accepting the social culture and other behaviors of the society. There are also groups that do not accept ethics and social norms.

These groups like to build their own rules and norms while neglecting the main culture. These groups are called countercultural groups. The main characteristic of these groups is that they have their ethics and a set of rules that go against the dominant culture. For example, a group of gays and lesbians in a community where they are against the main culture. The counterculture is such a particular community that it shows opposition to the dominant culture.

Key differences

1. The subculture shares the values ​​of the main society, while the counterculture has its own demands and values.
2. Subcultures are mostly accepted by society; on the other hand, the counterculture fades into society.
3. The subculture never reacts against the prevailing culture; conversely, the counterculture is always reacting against the dominant culture.
4. The subculture never shows political implications; on the other hand, the counterculture shows political implications.
5. Subculture is an organizational type. However, the counterculture is based on religion, nationality, etc.
6. People from subcultures do not go against society, although people from countercultures go against society.
7. The subculture shares the values ​​of the main culture, on the contrary, the counterculture against the values ​​of the main culture.
8. Subculture shows a positive response; on the other hand, the counterculture always shows a negative response.
9. The subculture is happy with the decisions of the dominant culture, while the counterculture does not accept any decision of the main culture.
10. In the subculture, people are not protesting against the dominant culture, in the counterculture, people are actively protesting against the main culture.

Final Thought

It is concluded that the subculture accepts the dominant culture and the counterculture against the dominant culture.