Subcultures are attempts at substitutes for ethnic identity especially in the absence of religion. People in countries like the US are particularly vulnerable.

Subcultures are attempts at substitutes for ethnic identity especially in the absence of religion. People in countries like the US are particularly vulnerable. According to the triple melting pot theory, as members of ethnic communities intermarry, each successive generation sheds the previous generation's ethnic identities. Religion then becomes a substitute ethnic identity, especially when intermarriage is more likely between members of the same religion. Since "American" isn't really an ethnic identity and has little substance, and because traditional religions are losing ground in the US, the result is an identity crisis. Subcultures are one attempt to fill the void. Both white nationalism and "wokeness" are examples, as are Harley gangs and all the mushrooming "sexual identities".