Tag: Sobriety

The Sub-Cultures – Staight Edge & Hardline

Posted February 5, 2010 by Michael @ Knowledge Lost in Culture / 13 Comments

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.