Chelsea Woodcock Week of Oct. 13th

Article 1
"Rethinking Subcultural Resistance- Core Values of the Straight Edge Movement"

By Ross Haenfler

In this article, the author takes a look at subcultural resistance by comparing the central values held by Straight Edgers (sXe) to those of other commonly known subcultures such as punks, hippies and skinheads and then goes further to evaluate the individual values within the Straight Edge subculture. Haenfler's research comes from first hand experience from the fourteen years he had been involved in the movement himself. In addition, he interviewed 17 sXe men and 11 women that were in the age range of 17-30. They all had different involvement levels in the Straight Edge Movement.

This particular subculture was originally developed to contrast the punks. When attending hardcore concerts, the underage attendees would be marked by a X to prevent alcohol being served to them. Eventually, these teenagers would start marking themselves demonstrating their choice to abstain from the norm.  Straight Edgers believe in a "clean living" abstaining from drugs, alcohol and sex outside of meaningful relationships; as compared to the punks who view life with "no future" living for the now and live an exceptionally frivolous life drinking, doing drugs and view sex as just another pleasure to have. They also contrasted the hippies view on life by seeing abstinence from addictive substances (including sex) as the way to reach a higher level of thinking. Hippies, on the other hand, used drugs like marijuana and LSD to take them to a "higher" level by freeing them. The skinheads were mainly a group of working class men that were patriotic, sort of reenforcing the idea of "patriarchal" masculinity. This group more often sees sex as a "supreme expression of masculinity".

The Straight Edge subculture holds their values very strongly repeatedly mentioning it is a commitment for life. For some of those involved it is a way to oppose the normal teenage behavior, for others a way to escape their family's faults (ex. parents with alcoholism) or better the world by abstaining from degrading substances leading to higher level of thinking. When a member breaks away from the life pledge by taking even a sip of beer, they are no longer considered a sXer. It makes many of the members upset when someone does break their "vows" because they feel that it can look bad upon the rest of them.

Overall this subculture, abides by the mission of clean living. By abstinence, they enjoy the hardcore music but also are more likely to be involved in animal rights, human rights or other social movements.

Article 2- Collective Identity in the Straight Edge Movement: How Diffuse Movements Foster Commitment, Encourage Individualized Participation, and Promote Cultural Change

By Ross Haenfler

This article was written by the same author of my other article and as I read it, I noticed overlapping information such as the same research process, same research time period and some of the same interviewees being used in both articles. The purpose addressed in this article, however, was the difference between organized social movement organizations (SMOs) versus the diffuse movements. Haenfler recognized that most SMOs leaned towards political change where as the diffuse movement have more tendency towards cultural and lifestyle based changes. This article uses the Straight Edge Movement as an example of a diffuse movement because though all members follow a certain lifestyle choice, all hold these values with different meanings. The Straight Edge has no governing body or set in stone set of rules; the group is a collective bunch of people from around the world who abstain from drugs, alcohol and sex without a meaningful relationship. Due to expansion in internet, and email the Straight Edge Movement has been able to spread their mission and values. Their symbol of the X is an universal sign of their life choice to live a clean life. Unlike most SMOs, the Straight Edge doesn't spread their ideas through picketing or strikes or lobbying, etc but by participation that meets each individuals needs or interests. The music produced by hardcore sXe bands usually surround the values held by this movement. Bands address human rights or environmental issues, some examples of the movements that sXers are involved in due to their higher level of thinking. Overall, diffuse movements are more likely to address the public by setting the example of a cultural change rather than addressing the government for a political change.