Presentation

Jennifer Sanchez

Article 2

10/13/2014

 

Collective Identity in the Straight Edge Movement by Ross Haenfler

The author uses the sXe movement to explore the less structured parts of movement activities and discuss the roles collective identity plays in diffuse movements. Some theories have failed to capture the movements' less structured and more philosophical aspects. The author uses the sxe movement to illustrate the fundamental roles that collective identity serves in a lifestyle based social change.

The sXe movement started in the early 1980s as a response to the punk rock scene that idolized the lifestyle of drugs and alcohol, promiscuity, and violence. The founders of the movement believed that while punks declared individualism, they enforced their own type of conformity by adhering to the youth culture's fixation with substance abuse. sXe felt that the "path of true resistance required a clear mind". Sxe appealed to youth tired of constantly trying to prove themselves to their peers through drinking and smoking. Members made a lifetime commitment to the sXe lifestyle. They feel that having a clear mind and keeping personal control leads to self-actualization and empowers them to resist the negative views of mainstream culture. As a group sXers believe their individual choices will add up to a collective cultural change. Many members also are vegan/vegetarian, keep sex in caring relationships, and become involved in other forms of social change.

Haenfler became part of the sXe scene when he was 15 years old and he adopted the lifestyle and was fully recognized as a member. The data he presents is from 12 years of observing the sXe movement in a variety of settings and roles. He primarily gathered his data through participant observation and unstructured, in-depth interviews with 20 sXe men and 10 women between 18 and 35 years of age.

The sXe movement has no headquarters, held no meetings, kept no membership list. There was no charter, mission statement, newsletter, or format of rules, no leaders, and no collected dues. sXe was loosely organized. The movement spread through message boards, email, and websites. The scene was inseparable from the hardcore music genre and the bands reinforced the ideologies of the movement's core values. The sXers spoke of their commitment to sXe, bonding primarily to the identity itself, rather than a goal, organization, or cause.

Haenfler finds that sXe movement demonstrates that participants in diffuse movements commit to a collective identity rather than an organization. The movement shows how collect identity supports a commitment to putting personal values into action. Participation in diffuse movements depends on creating a sustainable community of meaning. The more the individual and collective identities link, the greater the participants commitment to the cause. 

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Fresno State Recreation Association Treasurer and Professional Development

Fresno State Recreation Association Student Liaison 

iCan Junior Triathlon Club Running Coach