<![CDATA[This study aims to analyze the factors influencing adolescents to join the punk subculture as a form of self-expression, their survival strategies, and the perceptions of the local community toward street punk youth in Medan. A qualitative descriptive approach was employed, with eight main subjects aged 17–25 years who reside on Jalan Medan–Sampali and approximately 300 local community members. Data were collected through in-depth interviews, observations, and field documentation, then analyzed thematically and verified through triangulation. The findings indicate that adolescents join the punk community to seek identity, freedom of expression, and social solidarity. Street punk youth demonstrate survival strategies through mobility, informal economic activities, and the application of the DIY (“do it yourself”) principle. Community perceptions are mixed; some appreciate their creativity and solidarity, while others are concerned about potential disruptions to public order. These results provide insights into the social dynamics of street punk subcultures and the interaction between adolescents and the local community. Keywords: punk youth, subculture, street adolescents, identity, social solidarity Abstrak Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk menganalisis faktor-faktor yang mempengaruhi remaja memilih subkultur punk sebagai wadah ekspresi diri, strategi bertahan hidup mereka, dan persepsi masyarakat sekitar terhadap keberadaan anak punk jalanan di Medan. Penelitian menggunakan pendekatan kualitatif deskriptif, dengan subjek utama delapan anak punk berusia 17–25 tahun yang menetap di Jalan Medan–Sampali, serta masyarakat sekitar yang jumlahnya sekitar 300 jiwa. Data dikumpulkan melalui wawancara mendalam, observasi, dan dokumentasi lapangan, kemudian dianalisis secara tematik dan diverifikasi melalui triangulasi. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa remaja bergabung dengan komunitas punk karena mencari identitas, kebebasan berekspresi, dan solidaritas sosial. Anak punk menunjukkan strategi bertahan hidup melalui mobilitas, kegiatan ekonomi informal, serta penerapan prinsip DIY (“do it yourself”). Persepsi masyarakat beragam; sebagian menghargai kreativitas dan solidaritas mereka, sementara sebagian lain mengkhawatirkan potensi gangguan ketertiban. Temuan ini memberikan wawasan tentang dinamika sosial subkultur punk jalanan serta interaksi antara remaja dan masyarakat lokal. Kata kunci: anak punk, subkultur, remaja jalanan, identitas, solidaritas social]]>
