Please answer this one!!! What do people think about the goth/punk subculture?!?

Question

I don’t call my self goth but I do dress like it; I just don’t really see why people have to label things all the time. But it will take forever to explain! To me it’s a way of expression and how one chooses to see the world and among other things. Being goth or punk doesn’t have to do with worshiping devil. Even though people will find some goths that aren’t Christians. This will clarify the subculture. “For people with the gothic personality, their involvement is not merely a rebellious phase, but part of their inner self. Those likely to become interested in Goth and remain involved in it will usually possess most of the following characteristics and traits beforehand: individualistic, reflective, artistic, creative, introspective, emotionally focused and driven, sensitive, non-violent, moody. They are likely to have distaste for authority, possess above average intelligence, and be social misfits. Most are interested in the beautiful, the mysterious and the supernatural”.

Answer 1

(Unlike das F's amswer, the goth scene is not unhealthy. Just because you met basketcases doesn't mean they all are. There are some very beautiful, artistic, intelligent "goths" who are quite different than from your description.) Anyways, same answer for your other question.

I think it's the most wonderful thing there is, especially the goth subculture. In this distraught society which can only produce mindless drones (I refuse to be part of them), I feel this is where I truly belong. This is my wonderland because I'm easily accepted no matter how weird I may seem to this pathetic idiocy called society. With my gothic counterparts, I can easily find the beauty in the most forlorn things and not be shunned. I don't consider myself goth but I do want to be an active part of the gothic scene so I do my best to find out about forums I can join and take part in! I may not be goth but I do find some of the clothes associated with that subculture lovely; the corsets, the long flowing Victorian skirts, the Victorian jewelry and hats (I go more for the romantic/vampiric/lolita goth look), etc.

The sad thing is, as you point out, people in this society aren't so accepting of this. Why? Because they're different. At school, for example, students are preps, gangsters, etc. If you're not part of this then you're weird. If you don't feel like wearing those hideous pastels that literally blind you from ten miles away and like darker colors (me, I really like black although it's a shade and not a color) then you're weird or creepy. If you wear black all the time, then you worship the devil or are part of some macabre/evil religious group. That's why we have all the poseurs of today. Those who are so stereotyped, who understand nothing of the goth/punk subculture, try to be "goth" or "punk" or "emo" because it's in. This subculture is a refuge for me. An escape from this heinous little place called hell... this is where I go and I can be truly happy.

It hurts me when I see people made fun of because they see the beauty in something that is considered ugly by today's standards. Insults like these come from people who are stupid, ignorant and feel threatened of something different. Feeling so, they must gang up on us souls and attack us, to keep us "vile, horrible human monsters" away. It's funny at the same time. Like I remember going to a library and these two preps looking at me and whispering about me. They weren't too intelligent because I could hear what they were saying: "Oh my god, she's so creepy and goth. Look at her clothes and she's black too. I thought she'd be gangster..."

This just shows society's inaptitude to accept anything out of the norm!

Answer 2

I was involved in the goth scene for many years and have come to believe that yes, there are quite a few artistic and intelligent/nerdy people, however there were also a higher than average number of emotional basketcases and people with genuine psychological problems. Since getting away from the scene I realized it was sort of an unhealthy group of people. Also after having left it I realize that it has a lot in common with a religious cult, in terms of always hanging out with other group members, and being completely cut off from the group once you stop participating in group activities (e.g. clubbing).
I once held the same idea, that a true goth like myself had a gothic soul, and that I would always be goth my whole life. I realize now that's not the case - you're only goth as long as you feel/feel the need to be alienated from society. At some point you (normally) get beyond that feeling, start integrating into society, and goth loses a lot of its appeal.
I still wear the fashions occasionally, but cannot be considered goth. I will, however, always be a nerd.

Answer 3

I dress like it as well, and I also don't call myself a goth. I have been asked if I was a Satanist, or if I worship the devil I have had to clarify my athieism so many times to people. I do consider myself to be individualistic (I have been told on many occasion how different and wierd I am), VERY artistic, non-violent, and I do have an interst in the beautiful andd mysterious, however. Many people frown at me in public, but many people are quite ignorant.

Answer 4

yeah, I like Gothic and Punk subculture, it's awesome, and I do have everyone of those characterisctics, yeah, I'm interested in them, and I've noticed that people call me a "rebel without a cause" but sometimes I do have a cause, I'm tired of being taken advantage of, or whatever. I hate labels and everything, but yeah, love the culture, and I don't want nothing to do with Satan though, wish there was a way to comprimise with my mom, and tell her it's just a phase, but nobody listens to Goths, Punks, or Emos... so they get run over with self esteem....

Answer 5

When my sister and I were teens she was very depressed about certain situations in her life and she found comfort and acceptance in a group of kids in school that were goth/punk. She seemed happier because she felt understood. I thought her friends were cool because they weren't judgmental and snobby. However, I find that they were hiding a lot of hurt feelings and although they claimed not to care about what anyone thought of them they all really just wanted to be accepted and understood. I'm not saying that is the case for everyone. I'm just sharing what she went through. She's older now and not goth anymore.

Answer 6

aside from the dress, i'd almost call goths more normal than "normal" people. i've read somewhere that goths generally go on to be successful businesspeople and lawyers etc., and that the subculture can help protect suicide- or self-harm-prone kids.

so i'd say what i think of them is something like "they're a form of self expression which seems to be characterised by intelligence and thinking outside the box, and appear (for all their deviance) to be benifiting society"

Answer 7

in case you have been a real music fan you does no longer be judging on the appearence of the band contributors.... Nor could you be tying to evaluate 3 kinds of music that usually have super bands. Goth could be christian dying, punk- gg allin and metallic cannibal corpse. this would be a gay question -_- those are solid bands or artists for each sort

Answer 8

not to offend anyone BUT you did ask the question so i'll answer it with honesty

sometimes i'm a little bit afraid or feel uneasy around goth/punk people. i've had a few friends who were goth and they were pretty cool but I never became close friends because I just had an uneasy feeling. that, i will admit, is because I know so little about that culture.

Answer 9

I think that the goth/punk subculture has lost touch with its roots and has been coopted by massive corperations like Hot Topic who sell "rebellion" at the mall to dumb kids who have no understanding of what made the D.I.Y. movement meaningful or productive.

Answer 10

It's just another phase in someone's life.....i went through it 20 years ago and I am sure 1/4 of the population went through something similar at a certain age.....to be honest, I think everyone just wants to be a little different but there are only so many ways to express yourself so everyone ends up being the same......wait till you're 40, it gets so much more fun expressing yourself.