Skateboarding Subculture in China: Development Path, Characteristics and Representation of Values and Social Change

Abstract

Youth subcultures were for a long time located out of the public eye in China. Only over the last 30 years they have been drawing greater popular attention due to their rapid development. The Internet is one of the reasons behind the growth of youth subcultures in China. It constitutes a convenient communication platform to create discussion boards, find spiritual and hobby partners and freely exchange ideas. During the last few years the skateboarding subculture has become increasingly popular. Originating in the United States, this youth subculture is experiencing the phenomenon of glocalization reflects not only the generation gap, but also embodies a hidden appeal to escape the shackles of society and transform existing values. For instance, one of the basic values that skateboarders pursue both in the United States and China is a sense of freedom. Yet the meaning of freedom is much broader in China. The higher age of the participants, special attitude to the youth in China, strong influence of the tradition, family and societal pressure, and other factors contribute to its different perception. Based on interviews with Beijing skateboarders this research provides valuable insight into the local characteristics of China’s skateboarding subculture, specifically its: development path, reasons for popularity and the transformation of values amongst the contemporary Chinese youth.



Author Information
Anna Chelnokova-Siejka, Beijing Normal University and Moscow State Linguistic University, China

Paper Information
Conference: ACCS2015
Stream: Cultural Studies

This paper is part of the ACCS2015 Conference Proceedings (View)
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Posted by James Alexander Gordon