Ideals invented by Ian MacKaye. Primarily focuses on maintain a pure body and conscience by abstaining from drugs and alcohol. Promotes monogomous relationships (not mariage) and a vegetarian diet (although this is not essential). Ian MacKaye went so far as to shave his head but no one does this as a sign of their devotion anymore. Early straight-edgers could be identified by 'X's tattoed into their hands.

Ideals invented by Ian MacKaye. Primarily focuses on maintaining a pure body and conscience by abstaining from drugs and alcohol. Promotes monogomous relationships (not mariage) and a vegetarian diet (although this is not essential). Ian MacKaye went so far as to shave his head but no one does this as a sign of their devotion anymore. Early straight-edgers could be identified by 'X's tattoed into their hands.

a state of mind that implies this philosophy:no drugs no drinking no sex unless you are married....no meat is optional.

a philosophy to live a clean, responsible and sober lifestyle; a choice that many, many people consciously make, except being "straight-edge" is an excuse to put X's all over yourself as well as before and after everything you write, to use a label to make your choices look better than everyone else's and belong to a clique.

A movement that took it's name from the Minor Threat song of the same name. This movement is largely credited to Ian MacKaye (Teen Idles, Minor Threat, Egg Hunt, Fugazi). While he is a founding member of the straight-edge movement he did not magically create a new way of life. There were people who chose to absatain from drugs, alcohol, and promiscuous sex before the Minor Threat song believe it or not. There is much debate over what the exact definition of a drug is and there is no exact answer. Each practitioner of the straight-edge lifestyle creates their own personalized definition. While straight-edge as a lifestyle (not a movement) was intended to be a positive force it quickly became a dividing force in the underground and violence erupted from it. Not to mention the all-too-common sense of superiority that often (unfortuneately) accompanies this this lifestyle. The 'x' markings on the hands originated as a result of people showing that they willingly chose not to drink. Many people believe that militant straight-edge is called "hardline". This is not true. Hardline is a set of six rules that state in addition to no drugs, alcohol, or sex you also must eat in accordance with a vegan diet, avoid cursing, and not take medicine. Straight-edge is not a movement for people who aren't tough enough for drinking and drugs but ...

Ideals invented by Ian MacKaye. Primarily focuses on maintain a pure body and conscience by abstaining from drugs and alcohol. Promotes monogomous relationships (not mariage) and a vegetarian diet (although this is not essential). Ian MacKaye went so far as to shave his head but no one does this as a sign of their devotion anymore. Early straight-edgers could be identified by 'X's tattoed into their hands.

Group about not doing any mind altering substances, such as marijuana, shrooms, acid, and ecstasy. See: close minded.