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In sociology, a lifestyle is the way a person (or a group)
lives. This includes patterns of social relations, consumption, entertainment,
and dress. A lifestyle typically also reflects an individual's attitudes,
values or worldview. Having a specific "lifestyle" can be described as patterns
of behavior based on alternatives given and how easy it is to make this choice
over others given In business, "lifestyles" provide a means of targeting
consumers as advertisers and marketers endeavor to match consumer aspirations
with products. The term "lifestyle" first appeared in 1939. Alvin Toffler
predicted an explosion of lifestyles ("subcults") as diversity increases in
post-industrial societies. Pre-modern societies did not require a term
approaching sub-culture or "lifestyle", as different ways of living were
expressed as entirely different cultures, religions, ethnicities or by an
oppressed minority racial group. As such the minority culture was always seen
as alien or other. "Lifestyles", by comparison, are accepted or partially
accepted differences within the majority culture or group. This tolerance of
differentiation within a majority culture seems to be associated with modernity
and capitalism. Within anarchism, lifestylism is a belief that by changing
one's own personal lifestyle, and by retreating from class struggle, an
anarchist society can be formed. The term "the lifestyle" can also mean what is
more commonly called swinging or may refer to those who engage in BDSM
activities. Also called the "alternative lifestyle," people in "the lifestyle"
most commonly are part of a couple; often a married couple. They meet other
like-minded couples or occasionally singles to engage in sexual acts or
activities involving BDSM "play." Not all BDSM activities are sexual, so they
may also meet to educate, support, or help others who are in "the lifestyle."
People in the lifestyle meet on various different websites, as well as in
private and public clubs. They may or may not be active within their group, and
they may or may not make their "lifestyle" known to others. Therefore, being
active in the lifestyle doesn't mean they are "out" in the lifestyle.
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