Alicia Porter Smith is 32 year old (goth) woman who lives in Salt Lake City, Utah and has dedicated an extensive website about the gothic subculture and it's defining factors. She explains one of the the five steps to acceptance into the gothic social scene is "possessing the gothic mentality and personality". She explains that this, "indicates whether a person is gothic internally as opposed to merely looking gothic externally. For people with the gothic personality, their involvement is not merely a rebellious phase, but part of their inner self." This is the final factor, for me personally, in which divides those wearing goth as a fashion statement, and one in which is truly goth. For if they carry this mindset, like Smith admits, they are more likely to stay committed to the subculture and truly believe in it.
There are several themes of common, shared ideology between the gothic subculture. One, is an affinity with the idea of death. Now, it's not an obsession of death, nor is it really wanting to die. Rather, it is the acceptance that death is inevitable state of person in which we will all experience one day. In everyday life, we are reminded of death, but for some reasoning, this concept seems a bit taboo to some individuals. Smith explains this unusual theme on her website, " In general, Goths are an exaggeration of the darker side of the human psyche. They represent outwardly the thoughts that linger in the back of everyone's mind. Goths tend to make their feelings about death a little more open than the rest of the world." This is what generally forces other people, who do not want to accept reality a bit uncomfortable. Smith explains that death is present in many things, like literature, music, religion, and all of these tend to carry a monumental driving force is people's lives. Mostly, modern society has went to lengths to mask the reality of death. Smith explains that we do not kill our own food, we do not see people dying everyday because of medical advances, but it still remains prevalent. She states, "Goth is recognizing the balance of dark and light, life and death, without turning away, denying, or living in fear of the things some people find disturbing. For some Goths, it is an acceptance of the inevitable that makes them appreciate life and live it to the fullest from day to day." This is why goths tend to listen to music about death, and outwardly physically present themselves in a darker fashion, to symbolize their understanding with this abstract concept.
Other common themes between goths will be a natural liking towards artistic and creative things. Many goths will tend to carry an introspective, emotional mindset and will think of things differently than others. Generally sensitive, non-violent, and introverted people.
Now, it is not to say that people who don't hold these common, cliche mindsets that they aren't fully goth. There is no steps in order to take to be initialized into the subculture or the scene. But I believe the ideology is the final factor into what makes a gothic person, goth. If they carry these types of mindsets, then they are fully gothic. For "goth" despite being made into a fashion word holds a lot more power behind it. It's a subculture that evolved from music, fashion, but eventually became a lifestyle and ideology for many.
Another Youtuber I particularly enjoy, is Angela Benedict, who features many videos on what it's like being a goth in the 90s. A reason as to why I enjoy her tour of her apartment is that, she has small subtle decor but it's not overwhelmingly "costume-y". These small details show a deep perspective into her life as a goth.
