G325: Youth Culture - Bowery Boys

The Bowery Boys were an anti-Catholic, anti-Irish gang based north of New York City in the mid-19th Century.

They were mostly single males who frequented salons and brothels of the area known as the Bowery and dressed in black stovepipe hats, red shirts, black flared trousers, high heeled calfskin boots and black vests. Their hair was oil-slicked and subsequently they were referred to as "Soaplocks" - a 'colo
urful' label as described by Kettley. This can be seen to have led to discrimination against them as terms associated with negative things (such as the Bowery Boys' violence) can become a derogatory and inflammatory term.

They conform to the criteria that can be applied to many youth cultures today. The members of the group share similar cultural practices - they enjoy going to the same places. They had a dress code which gave them a sense of belonging and helped them to identify with others. They probably enjoyed listening to the same kind of music as they all went to the same saloons and brothels.

They were also a highly marginalised group - like many groups today, such as Goths. However, they marginalised themselves through anti-social behaviour, such as warring in the streets with others groups such as the 'Dead Rabbits' and being openly anti-Irish and anti-Catholic. 

They most likely had similar values and norms, which is why they likely identified together in the first place.
They were described by the media as a 'gang', rather than a group. This term has come to be used in a negative way and is now associated with  violence, crime and threatening behaviour.