Subcultures and
Countercultures
Subcultures
People who specialize in some
occupation tend to develop a
subculture- a world within the larger
world of the dominant culture
Include any corner of life in which
people's experiences lead them to
have distinctive ways of looking
at life or some aspect of it
Teenagers, body builders, politicians, etc.
Some US ethnic groups also form
subcultures
Counterculture
 The values and norms of most subcultures
blend in with mainstream society
 In some cases the group’s values and
norms place it at odds with the dominant
culture
COUNTERCULTURE
 EX: motorcycle enthusiasts v. motorcycle
gangs
Enthusiasts- emphasize personal freedom
and speed AND affirm cultural values of
success through work or educationSubculture
Gangs (Hells Angels for example)
stress freedom and speed but also value
dirtiness, and contempt toward women,
work and education- Counterculture
Counterculture continued
An assault on core values is
always met with resistance.
To affirm their own values,
members of the mainstream
culture may ridicule, isolate or
attack members of the counter
culture
Mormons for example were driven
out of several states before they
finally settled in Utah
Redskins Hogettes
Origins
October 1983 when Michael Torbert,
founder of the group, went to a
Halloween party at his grandmother's
retirement home wearing one of her old
dresses as a costume.
The costume was such a hit that he
gathered a group of men who he
"thought were tough enough to
go out in public in a dress."
The group would go to children's
hospitals to cheer up sick children
Washington Redskins
Hogettes
On November 27, 1983, the group
attended their first Washington
Redskins football game in full
drag, but with the addition of pig
snout masks
 in reference to The Hogs, the
nickname of the Redskins offensive
line players
Values and Norms
The Hogettes value loyalty to
their favorite football team
(Redskins)
3 members have been inducted
into the Pro Football Hall of Fame
as part of the VISA Hall of Fans.
Philanthropy
They have raised over $100 million
for charities such as Children's
Miracle Network, Ronald
McDonald House, and March of
Dimes
Identified
By their clothing:
women's dresses,
garden party hats,
and pig snouts
Their nicknames: all
dealing with Hog,
Pig, etc.
Boss Hogette,
Grandpa Hogette, Big
Georgette, Porkchop,
Hog Ed
Interesting Info
Hogettes have been guests on The
Tonight Show with Jay Leno and were
featured in a VISA commercial
Interesting info
Despite generous philanthropy and
positive attitude in the stands, not
everyone appreciates the Hogettes
 Longtime Washington Redskins owner Jack
Kent Cooke and Daniel Snyder—the
current owner—both failed to embrace the
Hogettes
The group has been called
"incredibly obnoxious" and "annoying“
attacked in the infamous 700 Level at
Veterans Stadium in Philadelphia by
angry Philadelphia Eagles fans
Clearly their theme song
would be……