Myth and Authenticity in Subculture Studies

This chapter theorizes the ways in which mythical stories of the origins of subcultures and the authenticity of subcultural identities have influenced subculture research since the 1970s. It states that neither the origin stories nor the authentic identities may be real, but that people nonetheless believe in them and base their actions on these beliefs. Based on these findings, the chapter proposes to approach subcultural myths in a pragmatic way, as constructed and negotiated stories that hold great importance for subcultural actors and scholars alike.