Review of Literature
To many of America’s youth, car culture is an outlet of expression and belonging that has been in place for decades. Originating from the greaser culture of the 1950s, cars have been adopted as a symbol of growth from teenage years to adulthood. Through the extensive and sometimes nerve-racking process of obtaining a license, some youth view this as not just the ability to escape from their parents, but as the key in joining a group of auto enthusiasts who accept them. In recent times, these groups have been forced underground due to legislation and overall public disapproval. Research on the subjects of car culture and street racing has been extensive do to government’s evolving stance on regulating them. This is not only an American issue either; many other governments have taken even stricter views, and the research from domestic and foreign sources shed light on the historical, regulatory, cultural, and business viewpoints on car culture.
With the invention of the Model T by Henry Ford, the automobile became more obtainable for Americans than ever before. As result of prohibition, bootleggers began to modify their cars in order to make them faster. To see who the fastest drivers were, they soon began racing and thus created the concept of street racing. “It was if is the romantic mythology associated with the frontier experience ha(d) been transferred to the car culture,” and the bond between a person and their car had been instilled in American culture. (7) The culture of youth and driving has always had a close relationship. Some teenagers, “really enjoyed driving of any kind when they first got their licenses. The difference between driving to work and driving for pleasure became very pronounced after a year or two of driving and some driving experiences were consequently classified as ‘a waste of time,’” but for others they develop even deeper relationships with cars that help develop who they are as a person. When people get involved in car culture, they often pick up driving skills that are displayed through ‘hoon tricks’. These skills such as doughnuts, burnouts, and racing can be regarded as unsafe, but young men in are encouraged to display their masculinity because society dictates so. (2, 6) |
When the street racers meet up they often meet in parking lots or another deserted open space where hundreds to thousands of participants and viewers get together to enjoy car culture together. The USDOJ believes events like this are a gateway for further illegal behavior and harbor tons of drug and criminal behavior. As result legislation in the US has tried to minimize these meet ups and crack down on the racing. Dr. Andrew Leigh of Australia’s parliament on the other hand, viewed these events as primarily social gatherings where there is “virtually no alcohol or drugs.” Professors Graham and White hold the beliefs that car culture, even its honing element are positive forces in some youths lives. Most street racers are males from the lower middle class working either menial jobs or in lower tier schools, and racing provides a positive outlet rather than having them spend their money and time with drugs, alcohol, or crime. (3, 5, 8 ,10 )
There are also two sides of the car enthusiast society. Because modifying a car is costly, very few can afford to have a car that is aesthetically appealing and fast. As result there are two sides of this community, those who hoon and break the laws with faster cars, and those who like to admire cars and are genuinely referred to as enthusiasts. While most accidents are caused by the 17- 19 age demographic, car culture as a whole is not responsible for this. Legislation that limits car modifications and other anti-enthusiastic goals, has not had the desired goal in Australia. There the legislation has had a greater affect on hurting the peaceful observers, while not as drastically affecting the ‘hoons’ who disregard the law. As result they are hurting car modifying businesses. Since there are now higher fines and penalties for these behaviors, the enthusiast’s insurances have drastically increased as well and have left less money for enthusiasts to modify their cars. In the US, similar legislation has also affected the car business. While certain large companies such as those part of the Specialty Equipment Market Association, are thriving, smaller companies are hurting and are yet to recover from the recession. (4, 9, 10) On a larger scale, other policies are closing in on America’s car culture at a whole. Environmental policies have tried to alter and constrict the car society of the past. At first this created dry period for car culture providing miserable cars such as the Prius and almost the collapse of the entire US car industry. But, on a positive note, car manufacturers have adhered to the times and are now creating beautiful, fun cars that are also increasingly environmentally friendly. This new breed of car, will hopefully save car culture as a whole and revitalize the old concept of being on the frontier of the future. (1) |