Gooti subkultuuri representatsioon
Date
2010
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Tartu Ülikool
Abstract
Description
The aim of the bachelor thesis „The representation of goth subculture“ was to describe
the self-representation of Estonian goths and to compare it with their representation in the
media. In a more narrow plan, the aim of this thesis was to find the main elements of
goths’ identity, how they relate to other groups (especially emos and so-called „ordinary
people“) and how they evaluate the representation of their subculture in the media.
The method of research was semistructured informant-interview. Six informants were
interviewed and the transcriptions were analysed using cross-case method of textual
analysis. The informants were found using snowball recruitment method and the
interviews were conducted in the spring semester of 2010.
The study found out that the main elements of Estonian goths’ identity are differences in
appearance and worldview from mainstream culture, shared preferences in music and the
courage to be „yourself“ in living your life the independentlty of other people’s opinions.
The most important element of identity turned out to be appearance, which is also seen in
the media as the most important element of goths’ identity. A worldview characteristic
was mentioned, but could not be properly explained by goths.
It was also found that goths find „ordinary to be restrained and dependent on other
people’s opinions, but attitude towards them is not openly negative. However, the goths
gave a clearly negative assessment to emos, basing it on the emos’ lack of principles and
excessive concentration on fashion. Other youth groups like skinheads and a local
subculture called „oss“ were described as discriminative towards goths.
The representation of goths in Estonian media was considered by interviewees to be too
negative. Their opinion was that more material about the goth subculture should be
published in the media to help disprove prejudices concerning goths.
Also it turned out that Estonian goths are strongly aware of the stereotypes about
themselves and are very critical in evaluation of the local goth scene.
Keywords
bakalaureusetööd, noored, subkultuurid, meedia, representatsioon