Teenagers have a bad reputation in our society, but is it really fair to stereotype them all? Not all young people deserve the negative press they get.
Often feel threatened when you see a group of teenagers? It is a common prejudice that all teenagers want to do is cause havoc. Perhaps this is true for some, but for most it is not. Yet they seem to be the ones whose antics are associated with the rest of us.
Many young people work hard to reach their goals, and are concerned about current issues, such as recycling. It is unfair for these people to be seen in the same light as the minority that don’t abide by society’s rules, and disrupt the peace.
Eden Jackson, a 15 year-old, has also encountered this lack of trust. “I often go into shops and feel uneasy when I know a member of the staff is looking at me. I think the main reason why young people are beleaguered is because of the stereotypes that everyone has of them. I also think that if shop keepers treated them with more respect they would feel more inclined to keep on the right side of the law.”
It is understandable that precautions need to be taken, but is this extreme behaviour really necessary? People hear of so many incidents in the media, such as theft, that they cannot help but feel afraid that the same will happen to them. These incidents are often linked to young people. The media fails to show the good things that teenagers do, so the public ends up with this idea that all teenagers are bad. Perhaps people have learnt not to trust teenagers through what they have encountered in the media.
Miss Russell, a secondary school teacher, said: “the images of young people that are currently portrayed in the media as untrustworthy and anti-social, in my opinion, are totally contrary to my own experience. In fact, I find that honesty and integrity are qualities that are more likely to be found in youth.”
So what are their reasons for this attitude towards young people? From where does this unnecessary fear derive? Why is it that shopkeepers view today’s youth so suspiciously? I posed this question to Philip Squires, who works in Hilton Crescent Post Office. He said: “It is because of newspapers and television that people view teenagers suspiciously. Truancy rates seem quite high, with kids hanging about when they should be at school. Hoodies also make them look suspicious; why are they hiding their faces, especially in good weather?”
Some teenagers do spend a lot of their time loitering on street corners, something that many people find threatening. They may not be causing any trouble, but just their sheer presence can be intimidating for some people. An excuse often used for this behaviour is that there isn’t anything else to do. However, if people looked hard enough, they would find that this just isn’t true. There are plenty of clubs and activities to get involved in. They could take part in sports, get a Saturday job, or become involved in a community project. There are also many parks, where they could have a game of football with friends or even have a picnic in the sun!
So, instead of feeling scared of everyone, put some trust in teenagers – we deserve it! Don’t stereotype young people. It’s up to parents to play their part and encourage their children to get involved in activities instead of spending their time on the streets, but in the meantime, show us some trust!
