How could it be argued that the h**l's Angels are not a culture?

Question

For an exam coming up my professor asked us to think about how the h**l's Angels might not classify as a culture. The main point he was getting at I think was the importance of a group having its own language to be culture. I'd think it would be safe to classify the h**l's angels as a subculture but is this qualitatively different than classifying them as a culture? In other words could a subculture be considered a culture?

Answer 1

If you want to know about culture think of yoghurt and lessons in classical Latin

Answer 2

That's a great question to consider for an exam ....

I believe part of the answer is actually in your last sentence, that is, you consider "qualitatively different" as a factor in assessing whether the h**l's Angels are a culture or sub-culture.

It seems reasonable to then go back and isolate the respective concepts, i.e., "Culture" and "Sub-culture" and identify the respective variables./factors that differentiate them.  At a minimum, these variables then become the basis of your analysis to determine where the h**l's Angels are, arguably, more likely to be classified.

Also, be mindul of your professor's directive that "language" is an important consideration in qualifying a culture.  In the strict interpretation of that requirement, our knee-jerk response is to simply look for the obvious, that is, this group speaks French, therefore ... this group speaks Swahili, therefore ....

At another level, it can be argued that slang, dialects, and other modifications to the primary language serve as reason enough to say the group (e.g., h**l's Angels) is a sub-culture.

I'd be interested in knowing what you decide to write and how you frame your argument ... I'd love to read it.  Good luck!

Answer 3

Yes, h**l's Angels would be a subculture.  The distinction is the in the name.  A subculture only exists/must exist within a certain culture.  For example, if you were to transplant the h**l's Angels to Japan -- they would be a very different group.  The h**l's Angels exist as they are today because they exist within the culture established within the US, including (but not limited to) its language, typical fashion/clothing styles, typical modes of transportation and highway infrastructure, social gathering settings, and modes of culturally accepted behavior.