Skinheads

In the other side of media, we are currently learning about youth culture and collective identity. One subculture that has been identified through analysing films are 'Skinheads'.
Skinheads originated amongst working class youths in London in the 1960s. They were known for their closely shaven heads, Ben Sherman shirts, drainpipe jeans and Dr Marten's. The skinhead subculture was orginally associated with black popular music genres such as reggae. 'This is England' a Shane Meadows film set in the 1960's follows a young boy called Shaun through his summer break from school. It see's Shaun get adopted into this subculture of skinheads and shows how youth can come together from a few simple things to form a collective. Youth are generally portrayed negatively by the media which this film reflects as Shaun engages with his first love, drink and violence. Below is the trailer for 'This is England'