Resistance to Dominant Culture

I've been thinking about the ideals of dominant culture a lot since our discussions last week in class. I found it very interesting, because I fall into all of the categories valued in popular culture (excepting maleness of course). But other than that I am white, straight, American, able-bodied, Christian, and wealthy. What really started me thinking, however, is the fact that people (youths especially) that fall in these categories often exhibit resistance to these established institutions. I have, at one time or another, felt myself resisting most of these qualities. The only ones that I do not resist are straight and able-bodied, because I haven't felt as though being outside of those characteristics would gain me respect in any way.

It's an interesting conundrum because, on one hand, it is seen as ideal to fall into the main stream traits as presented by popular culture. On the other hand, there is a greater degree of respect and individuality associated with succeeding outside of these main stream traits. Primarily, it is youth who want to distinguish themselves from the main culture and who want to be seen as individuals that choose to resist pop culture. I know for me I don't want to be defined as white or Christian or wealthy. And though I don't want to renounce those traits, I want to be sure that I am seen as more than part of a pop culture I did not necessarily make the choice to adhere to.

I think involvement in youth cultures stems from a desire to renounce one or more of these traits despite their almost intrinsic characteristics.