Stereotyping Around Teenegars

Stereotypes occur without individuals actually realizing it. Everyone in society, young or old, is generally labelled with stereotypes. Stereotyping can be described as a way of people grouping each other.Stereotypes does fit everyone. They affect people’s social lives, emotions, and how people interact with their environment. Specially, teenagers who are stereotyped tend to have a negative effect on their social and emotional health. Stereotyping teenagers can cause them to have a decline in their mental health; however adults can help them by fostering communication between the two parties.

Today, the majority of teenagers growing up are often viewed as ‘menaces’ to society typically because of routine and habits. To begin with, BBC School News Report points out that general stereotypes are used by adults to describe teens are similar to “yob” or even “tyrant”, believing that all teenagers misbehave and are involved in bad behavior in public. However, this is not the case as many teenagers go out to meet with friends and cause little to no harm. Most stereotypes regard intelligence and social appearance, but can relate to almost anything. Stereotypes like “nerds” or “dumb blondes”, are typically found in schools, where bullying is most likely to begin. Identity threats play an important role in today’s society's social problems more specifically like race, social class, and gender identity. Many victims of stereotypes lose confidence in their self and many others in a psychological way, which can damage social and personal development. Additionally, BBC also reported as soon as a child turns thirteen, they are said to become stroppy, hormonal and hard to manage. However, that is just a stereotypical view, most teenagers enjoy spending time with family who helps to cope with the changes that occur during this period in their life. Risky behavior is a genuinely normal part of development and growing up into mature adults. Furthermore, BBC News concludes that Teenagers, nowadays, face many obstacles and difficulties between the ages of 13-19. Maintaining good grades and a social life, are just few of the struggles many teens may experience at this time in their life.The effects of stereotyping teenagers, can prove to have a large impact. Their social image can be wrecked, self- esteem can lower, behaviour can be changed, etc.

Teenagers are seen as young adults who have no future, no goals and no motivation to succeed. Post-millennials (gen Z) has been the most stereotyped generation, for over 3 centuries. What society does not realize is that being a teenager is much harder than being an adult. Teenagers are constantly under a lot of stress. Their bodies are changing physically and mentally and so are the social relationships around them. Many, in fact most do not get enough sleep because of everything going on in their lives. However, Professor Birdwell claimed 'Teenagers are motivated to make a difference in their community but the approach they take is radically different to previous generations'. Teenagers lack the motivation for what a parent wants to see, for instance to try harder, to achieve better, to be a self-starter, to care about doing well, to be more ambitious but they definitely have the motivation to do what they want (like pleasure) and to avoid what they don't want (like work). In the same way, Professor Birdwell also states that “Some adults (not only parents but teachers, coaches, advisors, and more) react by taking a top-down approach, laying down their word as law: 'Do it because I said so”. Teenagers have a mind set that they want to do things by themselves. If they are not self motivated, chances are they’re never going to get anything done. Similarly “teenage rebellion” starts to rise which makes adults think that “all teenagers are the same,” rude, unambitious and irresponsible.

Teenage years are typically the most challenging year of a person’s entire life. They are usually struggling with the transition into adulthood, which may make it seem like teens are not “ambitious”. Based on the portrayal of teens into adulthood, rationalizing stereotypes does not aid in the transformation. According the researchers at the National Association of Social Workers, Dr. Aleathea Wiggins states that “Negative stereotyping has been found to affect eating habits. People who suffer stress due to discrimination and stereotyping are more likely to engage in unhealthy eating. Stereotypes can also lead to problems with mental health issues and availability of services”. Adults do not generally understand the negative effects a stereotyping teens. Subsequently Wiggins reports “There appear to be even more negative stereotypes aimed at ethnic minority teenagers, and they are often turned over to the juvenile justice system instead of being provided with appropriate mental health services”. Stereotypes directed at minority groups are usually taken very seriously because it can cause disruption in their lives, for example in the workplace. This can be very harmful because people would not feel welcome or safe.

These stereotypes Additionally, Wiggins concluded, “Negative stereotypes about intelligence or capability could lead to poor performance on tests. Females tend to score lower on math and science tests when reminded about their gender prior to taking the tests. Similarly, African Americans and Latinos tend to score lower on tests when their race is brought up before taking the test. Stereotyping specific groups of teenagers could affect the educational opportunities made available to them and their academic expectations. In other words, there are real consequences that may affect teen life outcomes resulting from stereotypes”. Gender and race stereotypes are most the most common types in society. Most negative effects are centered toward teens of minority ethnicity, meaning that it is more common among people of color in the United States. The general assumptions are generally wrongfully categorized and it is important to recognize it in society. Basic stereotypes can have a huge impact in shaping the mind set of teens and is proven to affect their mental health.

There is no “fixing” stereotypes. Society can just help improve their habits to enhance their daily lives. First, Dr. Beverly D. Flaxington writes, “Eliminate negativity form words and thoughts.To understand and support a struggling child, you need to help them open up to you about things that burden them. If you criticize your children for every petty detail, they will not share their concerns with you for the fear of being judged and censured”.To ensure teens feel safe, adults must put themselves in their shoes, meaning they should think about what is going on in their lives right at the moment and accommodate for it. In order for this to happen, they need to avoid judging teens when they share personal details about their mental and social life. Secondly, Dr. Beverly D. Flaxington points out “Foster open communication. You need to let your teenagers know that they can tell you anything, that you will listen and won’t judge, that you will try to understand the problem from their point of view, and that you will offer constructive feedback, reassurance, and advice instead of condescending “What kind of a problem is that?” “It’s your own fault!” or “I told you so”. Communication is the most important part of keeping a stable relationship. In order to help teens and avoid stereotyping them, adults must communicate with them and at the same time keep it respectful. By being aware of the interpersonal communication skills, parents can understand their teens’ attitudes and beliefs through the verbal and non-verbal gesture they offer. Through the interpersonal communication process, people can exchange information, and at the same time express their feelings.

Making people more aware of the problems of stereotypes helps them understand and self-correct and thereby reduces the negative effects of stereotypes on decisions. In his writing, Jayaram V states “Appreciate the diversity: Imagine a world, where everyone looks alike and thinks alike. You will have no chance of being recognized or asserting your individuality. Therefore, appreciate the diversity you find in the world and people around you. Contemplate upon how it enriches your life and contributes to your welfare. Appreciate and the role they played by different people and diverse cultures in shaping the human civilization”. Learning to be self-aware, to understand other people’s perspectives, how their social identities have been shaped and how that has influenced them. Adults can resolve to break the bad habit of stereotyping by determining to notice when it occurs and deciding to think a different way. Additionally, Jayaram V points out, “Know your boundaries: You may protect your interests, and act with social responsibility, but you must know that neither the country nor the community with which you may identify belongs to you. You are just one of the billions of people who live upon earth for a short item and disappear forever. You may enrich them with your actions and service, but you cannot assume any special privileges for yourself based upon your birth or background. You can stand for yourself and defend your rights and actions, without infringing upon the rights of others to live their lives according to their vision and values”. Although judgment is a natural instinct, adults should try to catch themselves before speaking. They should try to rephrase their critical internal thought into a positive one, or at least a neutral one. Adults need to generally avoid making snap judgements about teenagers and situations they know little to nothing about, assuming poor intent, thinking the worst about them and gossiping about it. In the same way, Hindu teacher Jayaram concludes “Learn from others: Prejudices and stereotyping prevent many people from learning from others. You can learn a lot from others, even if they are not as educated or knowledgeable as you are. The world offers you innumerable opportunities to learn from others, and you should wisely make use of them'. Everyone tend to have stereotypes about cultures, languages, races, nationalities and so on. However, adultas have to move past it, and try to be more accepting.

To end up, adults do not recognise how stereotyping affects teens and their everyday life, meaning they do not realise that their actions and thoughts, can affect the people it was pointed towards. The negative stereotypes can potentially lead to people feeling less accepted, therefore initiating disruptive behaviors and establishing feeling of lower self-worth and lower self esteem.