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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.
Chav Symbols
Rapper 50 Cent
Chavies
Chavettes
Tribal Chavs
Chav Activities
Race
N = 289
White = 99.3% (287)
Black = 0.7% (2)
Gender
N = 289
Male = 72% (208)
Female = 28% (81)
Symbols
N = 202
Caps = 60% (122)
Hoodies = 21% (42)
Bling = 19% (38)
Behaviors
N = 65
Gestures = 49% (32)
Drinking = 40% (26)
Smoking = 7% (11)
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.
Conclusion
• It does not seem likely that incorporation of Black hip-hop culture by Chavs facilitates multiculturalism.
• The symbols of hip-hop provide Chavs “cultural capital” (see Bourdieu) which they interconvert into status.
• Chavs will proliferate as opportunities diminish.