A gopnik is a member of a delinquent subculture in Russia, Ukraine, Belarus, and in other former Soviet republics—a young man of working-class background who usually lives in suburban areas and comes from a family of poor education and income.
A Russian gopnik squats in a stairwell in a khrushchyovka building.
Typical Russian gopniks from the city of Tyumen, early 2000s
A subculture is a group of people within a cultural society that differentiates itself from the conservative and standard values to which it belongs, often maintaining some of its founding principles. Subcultures develop their own norms and values regarding cultural, political, and sexual matters. Subcultures are part of society while keeping their specific characteristics intact. Examples of subcultures include BDSM, hippies, hipsters, goths, steampunks, bikers, punks, skinheads, gopnik, hip-hoppers, metalheads, cosplayers, otaku, otherkin, furries, and more. The concept of subcultures was developed in sociology and cultural studies. Subcultures differ from countercultures.
A goth couple attending the Whitby Goth Weekend festival, dressed in typical Gothic Victorian and Elizabethan styles
Members of the seminal punk rock band Ramones wearing early punk fashion items such as Converse sneakers, black leather jackets, and blue jeans
Trekkies are a subculture of Star Trek fans.
Potato chip packages featuring hip hop subcultural designs in a case of mainstream commercial cultural merging
