Chavs: A Cultural Community of Britain D. A. Lopez Department of Sociology California State University, Northridge USA
Dec 21, 2015
Chavs: A Cultural Community of Britain
D. A. LopezDepartment of Sociology
California State University, NorthridgeUSA
The Study
• Goal of Research: Documentation of the cultural community of Chavs in Britain.
• Relevance: Does use of symbols of Black “hip hop” culture by Chavs facilitate multiculturalism in Britain?
• Method: Content analysis of threads and 157 photographs posted in “Chav of the Month” (April 2005) at www.chavscum.co.uk.
Interpretation 1
• Symbols of hip-hop culture among Chavs allow that community an expression of power for a group with limited resources and life chances.
• These symbols can be utilized “safely” without contact with the racial group from which they emanate.
Interpretation 2
• Data suggests Chavs are exclusionary, if not intolerant, of out-groups such as Blacks, Goths, and Preppies.
• Intolerance may be a function of group solidarity, lower educational levels, competition over scarce resources, and ego defense.