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Chavs - Ageing Goths

Is the term 'Chav' indicative of a growing tendency to demonise the working class? Laurie discusses class and popular culture. Also, what happens to Goths when they get older?

Have the working class in modern Britain become objects of fear, scorn and ridicule? That's the claim of Owen Jones who joins Laurie and Imogen Tyler on today's Thinking Allowed. He claims that the media and politicians alike dismiss as feckless, criminal and ignorant a vast, underprivileged section of society whose members have become stereotyped by one, disgust-filled word - 'chavs'. If this is true, then how has the reality of the working-class majority become regularly served up as a feral rump for our contempt and amusement?
Also, what happens to Goths when they get old? Laurie talks to Paul Hodkinson about his study of members of that youth cult which used to be called Gothic Punk. How have they adapted their love of black clothes, multiple piercings, make up and androgyny to mortgages, children and the rites of passage incumbent upon middle age?
Producer: Charlie Taylor.

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30 minutes

Last on

Mon 4 Jul 2011 00:15

Broadcasts

  • Wed 29 Jun 2011 16:00
  • Mon 4 Jul 2011 00:15

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