Disclaimer: While I don’t agree in the whole Sub-Culture labelling it does play a big part in culture itself. So I will try to remain unbiased and not try to stereotype any sub-culture.
“Clear Body, Clear Mind”
The lifestyle choice of Sobriety and Chastity
Both Straight Edge and Hardline sub cultures are not only originated from a punk rock scene, it is more of a philosophical choice for them.
Difference Between the Two
The common lifestyle choices between the two are; no drinking, no smoking & no drugs (even in some cases no promiscuous sex) but Hardline take it one step further than Straight Edge; they also have a bio-centric view of the world and pro-life stance on abortion.
Why be Straight Edge or Hardline?
It is important to know that both cultures are not religious or political based.
It’s a lifestyle centred around personal development and well being, while encouraging fun and togetherness. The movements wish to attract people away from dependancy lifestyles centred around drug habits (legal or illegal) and unhealthy and exploitative eating and general living habits common in modern cultures.
While Straight Edge is not dogmatic, Hardline is.
The X on the hands
A common practice at all-ages punk shows was to mark minors with an “X” on their hands so they couldn’t buy alcohol. As the straight-edge philosophy grew popular, punkers who were older than 18 but didn’t drink for ideological reasons started to mark themselves with the X in a show of solidarity.
Interesting! I’ve never heard of either of them (from underneath my comfy rock). Definitely not my thing…but live and let live!
I think in todays society the people that choose Sobriety and Chastity are heroes. But I think anyone that chooses to make a personal stand and not follow the rest of the world are heroes in my books.
I have to respectfully disagree. If one feels it is best for them to remain chaste, I respect them for staying true to themselves. But being a virgin doesn’t make someone a “hero”, or any better a person than someone who does want and have sex.
I’m not calling the virgins heros, I’m saying the people how make a choice to live there life differently are definatly people worth respecting.
Ah, okay.
I’ve always been an individualist, and believe strongly that people should follow their hearts and do what is right for them.
I believe Individualism should be rewarded
Maybe i should start marking my hands with an X when i’m at concerts. I never knew of such a thing.
I think its great to have a non-religious movement that supports these sorts of things. As a non-drinker, some people always put it down to ‘religious beliefs’ which is a bit ignorant, as Catholic are some of the biggest drinkers around. However, people would discover i didn’t drink and pigeonhole me as a ‘Jesus Freak’.
That is a very american concept. Same with the sXe tag to symbolize Straight Edge
One of my favorite bands are Straight Edge (AFI). I so respect them for swimming upstream in the prevailing mindset in LA of hedonism.
AFI is a great example of a Straight Edge band and thought I don’t know any Hardline bands I think the closest I can think of is Straight Edge band Rise Against
Wow, I found this conversation really interesting, I have a teenage daughter who chooses not to drink, while some of her closest friends like to party hard, going against the mainstream is not always easy, having alternatives is great. Incidently AFI are amongst her favourite bands.
Good on your daughter for taking a personal stand against mainstream.
It was not just about drinking/not drinking, it was specifically within the US Hardcore/Punk scene and a rejection of that nihilistic drink/drug/f**k yourself into an early age thing that many people did, as a rebellious youth with something to complain about it was seen as more valid when coming from sober, lucid people who could actually compose themselves when making their point.
and Minor Threat were the best of them all IMHO
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