Award Date

1-1-2005

Degree Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Arts (MA)

Department

Communication Studies

First Committee Member

Lawrence J. Mullen

Number of Pages

61

Abstract

As a nonverbal form of communication, clothing reveals much about its wearers. In addition to exposing attitudes, values, beliefs, and other personal traits, individuals can utilize clothing to disseminate deliberate, symbolic messages. This project focuses on youth subcultures and the messages associated with their strategically constructed clothing images. It addresses how they display in-group affiliation and out-group separation through the management of clothing. It discusses how individuals can increase their personal value with in-group members as they manage their apparel in appropriate and deliberate ways. This thesis also notes the multiple influences that affect the clothing choices of youth subcultures and others. Finally, through an analysis of young people's perceptions of their own subcultures, clothing uses, and influences on their clothing styles, this project demonstrates how clothing serves multiple and various functions for youth subcultures and other young people.

Keywords

Clothing; Communicative; Culture; Message; Youth

Controlled Subject

Communication; Mass media

File Format

pdf

File Size

1187.84 KB

Degree Grantor

University of Nevada, Las Vegas

Language

English

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Rights

IN COPYRIGHT. For more information about this rights statement, please visit http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/

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