It seems to me that the author is observing that in the past you would have sub-cultures based on lived experiences (preppy…New England prep school, goth…aliena

It seems to me that the author is observing that in the past you would have sub-cultures based on lived experiences (preppy…New England prep school, goth…alienated teenagers, etc) that would develop an aesthetic, whereas today the aesthetic exists without any underlying sub culture. The author is using this observation as a jumping off point to notice that as far as they can tell there just aren’t any lives sub cultures anymore. It’s the lack of these sub cultures that kids can participate in that the author is bemoaning.