skinheads

Thân thiện

A group of skinheads stands outside a city pub.

Definition

Noun: 1. A youth subculture: Refers specifically to a distinct youth movement that originated in England in the late 1960s. It emerged primarily among working-class youths as a reaction against the contemporary hippie counterculture. 2. Members of this subculture: Denotes the individuals who belong to this group, characterized by a specific style and, historically, by involvement in certain aggressive behaviors.

Usage and Examples

• Referring to the subculture:

  • The skinheads subculture first emerged in England.
  • Sociologists have studied the origins of skinheads.

• Referring to the individuals:

  • A group of skinheads was seen at the rally.
  • The documentary interviewed former skinheads from the 1970s.

Advanced Usage and Context

• The term is often used in sociological, historical, and cultural studies to discuss post-war British working-class identity, fashion, and music (such as ska, reggae, and later, punk and Oi!).
• It carries significant historical baggage due to its association with racist violence and football hooliganism in some factions, particularly from the late 1970s onward. However, the original subculture was not inherently racist and included many anti-racist members.
• Important Note: The term is highly contextual. Using it requires care, as it can refer neutrally to a subcultural identity or pejoratively to individuals engaged in bigoted violence.

Variants and Related Words

• Skinhead (singular noun): An individual member of this subculture.
  • He dressed like a skinhead.
• Bonehead (slang, noun): A derogatory term sometimes used to specify racist skinheads.
• Trojan Skinhead, Trad Skin (noun): Terms used to describe skinheads who follow the original, apolitical or anti-racist ethos of the late 1960s, often associated with black music and style.

Synonyms

• Boot boys (historical, noun): An early synonym used in the UK media.
• Cropheads (rare, noun): A descriptive term referencing the haircut.

Related Phrases and Concepts

• Oi! music (noun): A genre of punk rock closely associated with parts of the skinhead subculture.
• S.H.A.R.P. (acronym): Stands for "Skinheads Against Racial Prejudice," denoting an organized anti-racist faction within the subculture.
• Football hooliganism (noun): A form of disorderly, violent, and destructive behavior by spectators at football events, with which some skinhead groups became associated.

Học thuật

Noun

1. a youth subculture that appeared first in England in the late 1960s as a working-class reaction to the hippies; hair was cropped close to the scalp; wore work-shirts and short jeans (supported by suspenders) and heavy red boots; involved in attacks against Asians and football hooliganism

Từ đồng nghĩa

• bootboys