Post by Rena DeVito on Jun 27, 2010 0:31:45 GMT -5
First of all, I'm posting this for Milo to read. Second, I don't want you to grade it, if you're going to nitpick at my mistakes, don't read it xD Third, I didn't even proofread this, so I have no idea how many mistakes there are |D
This was an English paper I had to write. I was bullshitting the entire thing, so don't pay attention to the shit in it |D
The Teenager Stereotype
As a teenager, I can say I have suffered from a rather common teenage stereotype. Many adults assume that just because I am a teen, I steal, lie, cheat, drink illegal substance, or take illegal drugs. Regardless of these stereotypes, I am fortunate to avoid most of them because I do not embrace some of the more radical common teenage styles that include wearing heavy make-up and large baggy clothing. These teenagers that wear these styles to express the way they feel and to make a statement are more likely to feel judged by others.
For example, if one worked at a store and saw a teenager walk in with a colored mohawk; large, black, and baggy clothing; and heavy make-up, would the worker be more likely to worry about the teenager swiping some merchandise or the middle-aged man wearing the t-shirt and the blue jeans? It is true that in today’s society that people are judged by how they present themselves – this includes make-up and clothing – however, we as teenagers do not deserve to be judged solely on what we wear. I can say from experience that some of the most crudely dressed teenagers were actually the sweetest the people a person could know.
Now, as an adult, you may be saying, “Hah, if you don’t want to be judged like a irresponsible teen, don’t dress like one.” It is not that simple. As a teenager, we are under extreme amounts of pressure. The teenage years are the years where we are learning about ourselves the most. We are learning about the outside world and are suffering severe pressure from our teachers, peers, family, and friends. Our friends want us to hang out with them and be cool, and our peers expect us to either be cool or be a rag for them to wipe their feet on. Our teachers and family want what is best for us, so they pressure us to focus on school and grades. As a teenager, we are trying to find our place in the world. The teenage years are the years where we feel the most insecure because we feel so pressured to fit in, to do this, to do that – it’s too much for any person.
It’s easy for you as an adult to say “Oh, don’t give into pressure. It’s not that hard.” You have already been through your teenage years. You have already grown a backbone, so to say, and learned how to refuse someone or something. We as teenagers are still honing those skills. We don’t know how to say no, we’re still learning how to tactfully refuse something.
Be totally honest with yourself, when was the last time you looked back on your teenage years? When you did this, did you think about how you thought or felt? Do you remember how much pressure there was on you to fit in?
Chances are, no. You haven’t done this recently, and even if you have, humans are a forgetful species. You most likely have forgotten how we feel. And that’s okay. I’m not asking that you suddenly have an epiphany and remember your teenage years and magically began understand teenagers. I do not expect miracles. I, on the behalf of all teenagers, ask that you do not immediately judge us by what clothing we wear, or how we speak. Watch our characters. Watch how we interact with other kids, and with adults. Are we respectful when we speak to you? Do we treat other kids respectfully?
If we do, then chances are, we aren’t bad people. And even if we do make mistakes such as shoplifting, don’t write us off. Just because we screwed up doesn’t mean we’re a hopeless case. We still deserve your love and support. We are the future of this society. Guide us, and in doing so, you will guide the future; the future of the nation, the future of the world. Mold us to be the people you want us to, don’t punch us into the shape you want us to – that will only hurt yourself, us, and your purpose. Listen to us and what we have to say. You might be surprised of how innovative a teenager can be.
Finally, love us for who and what we are. We cannot help what we like and don’t like, and we certainly do not expect you to like what we do. But please try to understand us and respect our decisions and opinions.
This was an English paper I had to write. I was bullshitting the entire thing, so don't pay attention to the shit in it |D
The Teenager Stereotype
As a teenager, I can say I have suffered from a rather common teenage stereotype. Many adults assume that just because I am a teen, I steal, lie, cheat, drink illegal substance, or take illegal drugs. Regardless of these stereotypes, I am fortunate to avoid most of them because I do not embrace some of the more radical common teenage styles that include wearing heavy make-up and large baggy clothing. These teenagers that wear these styles to express the way they feel and to make a statement are more likely to feel judged by others.
For example, if one worked at a store and saw a teenager walk in with a colored mohawk; large, black, and baggy clothing; and heavy make-up, would the worker be more likely to worry about the teenager swiping some merchandise or the middle-aged man wearing the t-shirt and the blue jeans? It is true that in today’s society that people are judged by how they present themselves – this includes make-up and clothing – however, we as teenagers do not deserve to be judged solely on what we wear. I can say from experience that some of the most crudely dressed teenagers were actually the sweetest the people a person could know.
Now, as an adult, you may be saying, “Hah, if you don’t want to be judged like a irresponsible teen, don’t dress like one.” It is not that simple. As a teenager, we are under extreme amounts of pressure. The teenage years are the years where we are learning about ourselves the most. We are learning about the outside world and are suffering severe pressure from our teachers, peers, family, and friends. Our friends want us to hang out with them and be cool, and our peers expect us to either be cool or be a rag for them to wipe their feet on. Our teachers and family want what is best for us, so they pressure us to focus on school and grades. As a teenager, we are trying to find our place in the world. The teenage years are the years where we feel the most insecure because we feel so pressured to fit in, to do this, to do that – it’s too much for any person.
It’s easy for you as an adult to say “Oh, don’t give into pressure. It’s not that hard.” You have already been through your teenage years. You have already grown a backbone, so to say, and learned how to refuse someone or something. We as teenagers are still honing those skills. We don’t know how to say no, we’re still learning how to tactfully refuse something.
Be totally honest with yourself, when was the last time you looked back on your teenage years? When you did this, did you think about how you thought or felt? Do you remember how much pressure there was on you to fit in?
Chances are, no. You haven’t done this recently, and even if you have, humans are a forgetful species. You most likely have forgotten how we feel. And that’s okay. I’m not asking that you suddenly have an epiphany and remember your teenage years and magically began understand teenagers. I do not expect miracles. I, on the behalf of all teenagers, ask that you do not immediately judge us by what clothing we wear, or how we speak. Watch our characters. Watch how we interact with other kids, and with adults. Are we respectful when we speak to you? Do we treat other kids respectfully?
If we do, then chances are, we aren’t bad people. And even if we do make mistakes such as shoplifting, don’t write us off. Just because we screwed up doesn’t mean we’re a hopeless case. We still deserve your love and support. We are the future of this society. Guide us, and in doing so, you will guide the future; the future of the nation, the future of the world. Mold us to be the people you want us to, don’t punch us into the shape you want us to – that will only hurt yourself, us, and your purpose. Listen to us and what we have to say. You might be surprised of how innovative a teenager can be.
Finally, love us for who and what we are. We cannot help what we like and don’t like, and we certainly do not expect you to like what we do. But please try to understand us and respect our decisions and opinions.