Ageing in a spectacular 'youth culture'

Continuity, change and community amongst older goths

Bibliographic Data

ID5635720
AuthorsPhil Hodkinson (0000-0002-0900-8469, University of Surrey, corresponding author), Paul Hodkinson
Year2011
Volume62
Issue2
Pages262-282
Publication date2011-06-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueBritish Journal of Sociology (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0007-1315 • E-ISSN: 1468-4446
PublisherWiley (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1111/j.1468-4446.2011.01364.x
PMID21631458
OpenAlexW1951049331
LanguageEN
Citations received49
References cited11

This article explores the continuing involvement in youth music and style cultures of older participants through examination of the case study of the goth scene. It does so in the context of a widespread neglect, until recently, of what happens to participants of 'youth cultures' as they move beyond adolescence and also of a growing consensus about the broadening of youth itself as a life course period. Drawing on recent work on older participants in other music and style related groupings, the article uses original qualitative research to examine the developing lives and identities of goths as they become older. Rather than regarding continuing participation as a simple extension of youth, the focus is on the ways participation accompanied and was reconciled with material, domestic and physical elements of developing adult lives. Through reference to the case study, I emphasize the ways the experience of ageing for long-term music and style culture participants can constitute a collective experience

Ageing · Sociology · Cultural Industries and Urban Development · Fashion and Cultural Textiles · History · Medicine · Music History and Culture · Gerontology

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