Why They Cropped Their Hair and Put On Boots and Braces: The Birth of the Skinhead Subculture in Britain

Mgr. Zbyněk Michal

Bachelor's thesis

Abstract:

This BA Diploma Thesis focuses on the birth of the skinhead movement in Britain in the late 1960s as the successor of various post-war subcultures. It aims to reveal the complex socio-cultural background that underlies the origins of the skinhead subculture. It also pursues to clear the subculture of its unjust stigmatisation as a radical right-wing movement by drawing attention to its original multicultural nature. The thesis provides theoretical background to the study of subcultures and draws upon the findings in the actual description of the skinhead subculture. The development of the skinhead movement is outlined with respect to its present complexity.

Abstract:

This BA Diploma Thesis focuses on the birth of the skinhead movement in Britain in the late 1960s as the successor of various post-war subcultures. It aims to reveal the complex socio-cultural background that underlies the origins of the skinhead subculture. It also pursues to clear the subculture of its unjust stigmatisation as a radical right-wing movement by drawing attention to its original multicultural nature. The thesis provides theoretical background to the study of subcultures and draws upon the findings in the actual description of the skinhead subculture. The development of the skinhead movement is outlined with respect to its present complexity.

Keywords

Skinheads, youth subcultures, subcultural style, post-war Britain, working class, right-wing radicalism, racism.

Language used: English

Date on which the thesis was submitted / produced: 13. 6. 2008

Thesis defence

• Date of defence: 4. 9. 2008
• Supervisor: prof. Mgr. Milada Franková, CSc.

Masaryk University

Faculty of Arts

Bachelor programme / field:
Philology / English Language and Literature