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.