Narratives of Attitude Change and Resistant Subcultures

Abstract

This chapter analyzes the exceptional cases-the people who appear to contradict the predictions of generational theory with respect to their discourses and attitudes about gay marriage. Young conservatives who oppose gay marriage and old liberals who have always supported gay rights are parts of resistant subcultures that insulated them from generational change. Similarly, older liberals who changed their attitudes about gay marriage illuminate the process by which generational change can cause period effects. It is argued that these exceptions are compatible with generational theory because of the difference between the cohort and the generation.