Customer Reviews

Straightedge Youth: Complexity and Contradictions of a Subculture

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

After wondering for ten years when academia was going to get around to examining straight edge, I was pleasantly surprised to see not one, but two books on the subculture published last year (the other is Ross Haenfler's "Straight Edge"). Wood's study is based on interviews, content analysis of lyrics, and semiotic analysis of symbols, and reads like a good dissertation. It's deeply rooted in subcultural theory, and the central thesis is that straight edge is a such a dynamic subculture that no one flavor of subcultural theory (such as interactionist, Birmingham, etc.) can explain it on its own, but rather that a whole array of tools and theories need to be applied to it.

This is all relatively clearly explained -- for an academic work -- but the examination of identity formation is unlikely to be that fascinating to a general reader who knows little or nothing about straight edge. Personally, I got into straight edge around 1987 and remain so, and the study told me little I wasn't already explicitly or implicitly aware of. The focus of the work is straight edge's constant revisioning, from its birth as an offshoot of punk, to the addition of vegetarian and animal rights, the emergence of "hardline", and even Satanic elements (This satanic linkage was one area that was totally new to me. The other part that gave me something new to think about was Woods' assertion that the Reagan-era "War on Drugs" provided latent cultural support for straight edge. He's very careful to distance himself from any cause and effect pronouncements, but it's a linkage that nonetheless strikes me as more coincidental than anything.)Along the way, the reader gets a concise history of the subculture, along with a selection of quotes from key figures. These are especially useful in the section describing the transition of many straight edge kids into Krishna Consciousness.

On the whole, this is nice volume in subcultural studies using straight edge as a case study, but unlikely to that useful to those seeking a detailed sense of the history or demographics of straight edge. There are lots of questions that aren't addressed: for example, why is straight edge primarily a white middle class male subculture. Why (and how) has it gained a strong presence is some countries (Germany, Japan, and Norway for example), but not others? What are the factors that lead to people "claiming" or "unclaiming" the subculture? How do extreme applications of the subculture, such as the Salt Lake City crew, come about? How do some bands become associated with straight edge even if they aren't? Hopefully Wood will go on to address these more complex aspects of straight edge as he continues his academic career.

As a straight edger who has only recently "claimed edge" (that's the term for when you finally make the lifetime commitment not to drink, do drugs, or smoke), I wanted to find out everything I could about straight edge.

Robert Wood's "Straightedge Youth: Complexity And Contradictions of a Subculture" was the first book on straight edge that I found and read. And I recommend it to everyone who is straight edge, is thinking about becoming straight edge, or is even just interested in the idea. movement, and philosophy of straight edge.

Wood's book covers it all--from the basics (what is straight edge, how did it start, who started it, the musical connections ect.) to more in-depth ideas, such as exploring the symbolism of the Xes (that straight edgers use to show they are straight edge) and the complexity of the straight edge identity.

And I will admit that when I first found out that Robert Wood was a professor, I was a little nervous. I've looked through many academic books and found some to be dense and hard to read, filled with difficult-to-understand ideas and phrases. However, upon starting the book, I quickly found that Robert Wood doesn't let these kind of things get in the way. His writing style is clear and unpretentious yet it's certainly not simple. While Wood does sometimes use more academic ideas to study straight edge, he always keeps it accessible to non-academic readers.

But my favorite thing about this book is that it isn't just Robert Wood's voice. Wood conducted many many interviews with straight edge people of all kinds, and uses their ideas and opinions as much as possible in the book. To hear the voices of real straight edge people is invaluable in trying to find out more about straight edge. Reading this book, you can find out about the opinions of everyone from members of hardcore/straight edge bands to your local straight edge teen.

Informational, fascinating, fun and thought-provoking, Wood's book is a must-read. Especially since straight edge is so rarely written about, this book is a treasure not just for researchers and sociologists, but also for straight edgers or the casual reader interested in straight edge. I am proud to have it on my bookshelf!

This is a great and quick read if you want a pretty good overview of the straightedge subculture. It does not focus on the negative/militant stereotypes (even though they are mentioned, which is not a bad thing. it is what it is.) This book talks a lot about the old school hardcore which is good because a lot of kids in the scene today have lost touch with their roots. It also talks about a lot of different beliefs that straightedge people may or may not follow, such as but no limited to veganism, satanism, and Krishna.

Good book. Pick it up if your into or want to learn about this awesome subculture.

only reason i didnt give it a five is because the guy who wrote it sounded kinda repetitive sometimes, but it was necessary at times, but other times he could have left things out.

Very good insite to the Straight Edge community. I found everything to be accurate and also learned a few things.

I wanted to learn more about sXe because though I never was my three sons have taken an oath to embrace this subculture and I think its great. The problem was this book is very dry and almost makes you want to do drugs just to get through it. Its not worth the time or the money.