Punks: A Community in NeedBy Caroline Cross

Defining the Population

Punk is a subculture that stems from punk rock music.

The punk lifestyle goes beyond music; it has formed its own philosophy, fashion, dance, literature and film.

The punk subculture emerged in the United States, the in the mid-1970’s.

Punks often form a local scene.A local scene consists of all the members of this group within a given community.

The Community

Orlando, Florida

Approximately 400 members in the local scene investigated

A typical local punk scene is made up of punk and hardcore bands; fans who attend concerts, protests, and other events; band reviewers, and writers, people who organize concerts, and people who work at music venues or independent record labels

The MusicThe music is a crucial part of the punk lifestyle and consists of live concerts of a loud, aggressive genre of rock music called punk rock, usually shortened to punk.

Most punk rock songs are short, have simple and somewhat basic arrangements using relatively few chords, and they use lyrics that express punk values and ideologies ranging from the nihilism of the Sex Pistols' "No Future" to the positive, anti-drug message of Minor Threat's "Straight Edge".

Punk rock is usually played by small bands rather than by solo artists.

Punk bands usually consist of a singer, one or two overdriven electric guitars, an electric bass player, and a drummer.

The FashionPunks are known for highly theatrical use of clothing, hairstyles, cosmetics, tattoos, and jewelry.

Punks in this specific community wear tight jeans, plaid or tartan trousers, kilts or skirts, band T-shirts, leather jackets (which are often decorated with painted band logos, pins and buttons, and metal studs or spikes) and steel-toe combat boots.

AttitudePolitically, the vast majority of punks are anarchists.

Common punk philosophy centers around the basic principles of anti-authoritarianism, non-conformity and not “selling out”.

Other notable trends in punk politics include nihilism, anarchism, socialism, anti-militarism, anti-capitalism, anti-racism, anti-sexism, anti-nationalism, anti-homophobia, environmentalism, vegetarianism, veganism and animal rights. However, few individuals within the punk group hold right-wing views or neo-Nazi views.

Punk nihilism was expressed in a more self-destructive manner with consciousness-obliterating substances like heroin, or methamphetamines and by the mutilation of the body with razor blades.

Other Concerns

A unique characteristic of Punks is a violent form of dance they engage in; called moshing or circle pit.

They gather in a circle, those inside of the circle chaotically jump and run around and when they get close to another they bump into them or shove them away.

Fighting is also common, both during a concert and as a means of expression.

Why Punks Fight

Resources Available

Online Networks Young, Poor and Angry (Blog site)

Myspace

NewspapersFlorida’s Local Vine

Links these Punks though relevant articles

Informal Supportive NetworkLittle in-group/out-group bias issues

Meaning that punks of all kinds are extraordinarily accepting of one another despite differences in beliefs or taste.

Informal Support System

Punks often form their own natural, informal support system due to common interests and lifestyle.

Potential NeedsDealing with aggression

To be identified as a community in research literature

Adult Supervision

Equal Housing (underage)Squatting/Housing Issues

Many Punks are separated from their parents (voluntarily or not)

Drug and alcohol rehabilitation

Financial Aid

Employment Resources

Help defeating prejudice in the work place

Issues Presented in Needs Assessment

Tendency to avoid formal groupsNo defined leader within larger community

Anarchist philosophy creates issues

Informed consentWith the majority of Punks in this community being underage and informally estranged from their parents, issues will arise with getting informed consent

Not a group recognized by the psychological community

No data previously collectedNo longitudinal studies

Where are all the older Punks?