Final answer:
The correct answer is option a.culture wars.
Step-by-step explanation:
Conflicts within mainstream society about which values and norms should be upheld or shifted are called culture wars. This term refers to the ideological conflict between groups holding different worldviews, fighting to maintain or change cultural norms that reflect their beliefs and values. These battles often pit conservatives against progressives on issues such as religion, sexuality, gender roles, and national identity.
The concept of hegemony, introduced by Italian Marxist Antonio Gramsci, describes the dominance of one social class over others, through a generally accepted ideology or cultural norms—the accepted 'common sense' that reinforces the status quo and serves the interests of the ruling class.
On the other side, countercultures actively defy the dominant cultural patterns and create their own rules and norms, often seeking significant changes to the existing social order. In essence, culture wars can be seen as a clash between the existing hegemony and emerging countercultures, with each side struggling to influence society's dominant values and norms.