Functions of (Illegal) Nightlife for Youth during the Pandemic: Between Neoliberalism and Neotribalism

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic has had a great effect on young people, with their social lives being particularly impacted by the restrictions on social gatherings. Some of them, nevertheless, did not adhere to restrictions, and participated in illegal parties. In this study, we explored the functions of (illegal) nightlife for youth, as well as their motives for noncompliance with restrictions on social gatherings. We conducted in-depth semi-structured interviews with thirteen young people (seven male, aged 18-29) and the data was analyzed using reflexive thematic analysis. Restrictions on public gatherings revealed the multiple functions parties had for youth as a unique multimodal experience that can’t be easily substituted. Parties were described as unique experiences in particular because they facilitated the loss of individuality and coalescence with the collective. Some participants tried to make up for the loss of this resource by simulating parties in their own home, which proved to be unsatisfactory. Most participants refrained from going out, reporting a loss of a valuable resource for connecting with others and managing stress. In refraining from partying, some participants felt as though they lost a part of themselves. This highlighted the importance of the clubbing culture for defining one’s identity. Participants that continued to attend parties used them as a resource for managing stress related to the pandemic. Participants who attended illegal parties employed various strategies in order to relativize the seriousness of the pandemic. Nevertheless, most of them experienced a tension between their fear of the coronavirus and the need to feel carefree. Illegal partygoers also emphasized a greater sense of connectedness with other attendees than at pre-pandemic parties. Findings related to the social functions of parties for young people are interpreted from the perspective of theories of neoliberalism and neotribalism. We conclude that parties have primarily individualistic functions for young people, with distinct ‘patches’ of collectivism.