Stereotyping Youth
Many stereotypes exist in our society today. There are plenty of preconceived ideas about particular ethnic, social, or cultural groups that affect everyone. A stereotype is a simplification or broad generalization made about a person or group of people. There is one particular group that is often overlooked as being stereotyped: our youth. Young people today face many challenges in our fast paced, media saturated society. Adolescents are caught between childhood and adulthood, and expected to behave as adults, causing misunderstanding and judgment. Teenagers become stereotyped as lazy, superficial, irresponsible, and cruel. Making generalizations about adolescents in this way is unfair because: they are making the challenging transition into adulthood, have adult expectations placed on them, and are heavily influenced by society at large.
First, teens are going through the most difficult stage of their young lives. They are maturing rapidly, heading towards adulthood, but are not quite ready to behave like a mature adult. They are still developing, and judging them as lazy or irresponsible hinders their delicate process. Adolescent development involves the learning of important life skills, which uses a lot of energy. Teens require between 10-12 hours of sleep per night, and usually are unable to, due to insomnia or other issues. Also, teens are developing their identity, or sense of self. This may present itself through excessive attention to one’s appearance, and focus on other superficialities like hairstyles and fashionable clothing. Young people have a tendency to forget important things to do, like calling home to check in, or doing homework before going out with friends. They are extremely self-centered at this stage of development, and in the process of learning how to prioritize. Sometimes teens are very irresponsible, but this does not include everyone at that age, at all times. In Adolescence, cruelty can arise as identities are threatened. This happens everywhere, and is not exclusive to teenagers.
Secondly, adolescents often have adult expectations placed on them. Adults see a fully grown person in front of them, and assume that their brain is also fully grown. Research has shown that the human brain is still developing at a rapid rate until the age of 30. So, teenagers have less impulse control. They will tend to make choices based on their impulse, and face negative consequences. This is a part of the learning process. With guidance, teens can learn to make smarter choices and grow into mature, responsible adults. Unrealistic expectations of our youth can also bring negative consequences to our society. We expect them to behave as adults, so they begin engaging in adult activities that they are not yet ready for. Parents and educators can benefit from teaching problem solving and social skills in adolescents, preparing them for young adulthood.
Finally, society at large has a powerful influence on our youth. Media and technology target young people, dictating how they should live. Inundated by advertisements on TV, radio, and magazines, teens make choices about what to wear and how to communicate. The internet is by far the most accessible source of information, allowing people of all ages to be influenced. Movies depict violence and disrespect toward women and people of color. Cell phones now have so many features, and can cost nearly $500. What is our society telling our youth? They are getting the message (by text, no doubt) that material wealth is beneficial and necessary. They are also being told that communication can be indirect and perfunctory, and perhaps should be. It is no surprise that youth in America, and now other countries like Japan and China, are considered superficial and lazy. They are constantly bombarded by cruelty in commercials and video games. Why visit someone in person when you can send them an IM? Our media centered culture perpetuates the stereotypes frequently used in describing our youth, and other targeted groups as a whole.
In conclusion, using stereotypes is hurtful and unfair to our youth, and society in general. It is important to realize the changes teens go through before reaching adulthood. It is naïve to assume that all teens are lazy, superficial, irresponsible, or cruel, with all the challenges they are facing during this time. Their transition into adulthood, the expectations made of them, and the influence of media, can make these years extremely difficult. So much learning takes place during adolescence. We need to allow them to make mistakes, offering our guidance and direction. Lessons are most valuable when people are allowed to fail as a part of the learning process. Failure is a necessary tool for growth, and inevitably leads to success, if given the chance for a do-over.
Many stereotypes exist in our society today. There are plenty of preconceived ideas about particular ethnic, social, or cultural groups that affect everyone. A stereotype is a simplification or broad generalization made about a person or group of people. There is one particular group that is often overlooked as being stereotyped: our youth. Young people today face many challenges in our fast paced, media saturated society. Adolescents are caught between childhood and adulthood, and expected to behave as adults, causing misunderstanding and judgment. Teenagers become stereotyped as lazy, superficial, irresponsible, and cruel. Making generalizations about adolescents in this way is unfair because: they are making the challenging transition into adulthood, have adult expectations placed on them, and are heavily influenced by society at large.
First, teens are going through the most difficult stage of their young lives. They are maturing rapidly, heading towards adulthood, but are not quite ready to behave like a mature adult. They are still developing, and judging them as lazy or irresponsible hinders their delicate process. Adolescent development involves the learning of important life skills, which uses a lot of energy. Teens require between 10-12 hours of sleep per night, and usually are unable to, due to insomnia or other issues. Also, teens are developing their identity, or sense of self. This may present itself through excessive attention to one’s appearance, and focus on other superficialities like hairstyles and fashionable clothing. Young people have a tendency to forget important things to do, like calling home to check in, or doing homework before going out with friends. They are extremely self-centered at this stage of development, and in the process of learning how to prioritize. Sometimes teens are very irresponsible, but this does not include everyone at that age, at all times. In Adolescence, cruelty can arise as identities are threatened. This happens everywhere, and is not exclusive to teenagers.
Secondly, adolescents often have adult expectations placed on them. Adults see a fully grown person in front of them, and assume that their brain is also fully grown. Research has shown that the human brain is still developing at a rapid rate until the age of 30. So, teenagers have less impulse control. They will tend to make choices based on their impulse, and face negative consequences. This is a part of the learning process. With guidance, teens can learn to make smarter choices and grow into mature, responsible adults. Unrealistic expectations of our youth can also bring negative consequences to our society. We expect them to behave as adults, so they begin engaging in adult activities that they are not yet ready for. Parents and educators can benefit from teaching problem solving and social skills in adolescents, preparing them for young adulthood.
Finally, society at large has a powerful influence on our youth. Media and technology target young people, dictating how they should live. Inundated by advertisements on TV, radio, and magazines, teens make choices about what to wear and how to communicate. The internet is by far the most accessible source of information, allowing people of all ages to be influenced. Movies depict violence and disrespect toward women and people of color. Cell phones now have so many features, and can cost nearly $500. What is our society telling our youth? They are getting the message (by text, no doubt) that material wealth is beneficial and necessary. They are also being told that communication can be indirect and perfunctory, and perhaps should be. It is no surprise that youth in America, and now other countries like Japan and China, are considered superficial and lazy. They are constantly bombarded by cruelty in commercials and video games. Why visit someone in person when you can send them an IM? Our media centered culture perpetuates the stereotypes frequently used in describing our youth, and other targeted groups as a whole.
In conclusion, using stereotypes is hurtful and unfair to our youth, and society in general. It is important to realize the changes teens go through before reaching adulthood. It is naïve to assume that all teens are lazy, superficial, irresponsible, or cruel, with all the challenges they are facing during this time. Their transition into adulthood, the expectations made of them, and the influence of media, can make these years extremely difficult. So much learning takes place during adolescence. We need to allow them to make mistakes, offering our guidance and direction. Lessons are most valuable when people are allowed to fail as a part of the learning process. Failure is a necessary tool for growth, and inevitably leads to success, if given the chance for a do-over.
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