“Can Neds (or Chavs) Be Non-Delinquent, Educated or Even Middle Class?” research paper
“Ned (non-educated delinquent) is the Scottish equivalent of the English term ‘Chav’. It refers stereotypically to low class, uneducated, raucous and antisocial youth and is linked to specific (sub)cultural markers, e.g. a preference for drinking the fortified wine ‘Buckfast’. Using a survey of over 3000 15-year-old school pupils from the West of Scotland, we investigated the association between adopting a Ned identity and socio-economic background, educational engagement, delinquency, peer-status and (sub)cultural markers. Some 15 per cent of pupils self-identified as a Ned. (Sub)cultural markers such as listening to hip-hop, peer-status, delinquency, educational disengagement and area deprivation were associated with adopting a Ned identity. This suggests greater evidence for agency or cultural influences than structural or socio-economic influences. Irrespective of socio-economic status a substantial minority of young people self-identify as ‘Neds’. Among explanations for this appeal are elevated peer-status, the attraction of non-conformity and the growth of ‘Chav pride’ within popular culture.” Abstract from Sociology here
“One in eight middle-class children say they’re a ned” Scotsman
“Middle-class youths said to be ‘identifying themselves as neds’” STV
“Why well-off youths are happy to be called ‘neds’” Scottish Express
“Why middle-class youths are ‘neds’” Herald
“Middle class kids ‘attracted to ned and chav culture’” BBC
Press release
“Research challenges the link between poverty and ‘Ned’ or ‘Chav’ culture” MRC Social and Public Health Sciences Unit (Glasgow)
See also
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