My Way of Breaking The Teenage Stereotype

Stereotypes are a modern way to organize and classify people based on different attributes that they exhibit. Some stereotypes can be based on fact, and some can tend to be more fabricated or based on speculation. One common label that society places on 13-18 year olds is that they are the self-centered, do not have any work ethic, and have no basic knowledge of what it takes to survive financially. These stereotypes can be detrimental to development, and honestly only represent a small portion of the age group.

Generally speaking, self-centeredness is something that everyone struggles with, not just a specific age group. One thing that I have always had pride in was my ability to put everyone and everything before myself. I am always the one who gives 110% and will work until the job is done. There is a point in life where you do have to make decisions that will better yourself. Sometimes, these crucial decisions can be seen as selfish and self-centered when in reality they are necessary for development.

Work ethic can almost always be traced back to how you were raised. If you grew up in a home where nothing was required of you and you got to sleep all day without a care in the world, chances are you probably will not have any sense of hard work. I was lucky enough to be raised in a home where chores were expected to be done, and laziness was not allowed. This paved the way for me to learn the concept of work ethic. Working two jobs as a full-time high school student is not an easy task. It requires planning ahead, good time management, and making sacrifices. This just goes to prove that not all teenagers are lazy and have no idea how to work.

As a senior in high school, I have experienced the stress of applying for colleges and trying to figure out with ones are financially possible and which ones are not. Thankfully, I have always been one to save my money and plan for future expenses so it has not been as stressful as it is for some people. My parents have taught me simple financial concepts that have helped me to make major life decisions. This prepared me for situations like buying a car, paying for classes, and dealing with all other unexpected financial situations.

This just goes to prove that stereotypes are just opinions and ways that people categorize others based on the way they see a majority of people like them. Sometimes they can be pretty accurate, but most of the time they prove to be offensive and far from the truth. My goal is to prove to people that I am not who others perceive me to be. I am hard working, responsible, and I care for people well. Stereotypes are like putting on a pair of foggy goggles and refusing to see anything except the obscured perception of what others want you to see.