Social Stigmas

Being a young person is hard. Exams are getting tougher, expectations are getting higher and mental health issues are on the increase.

It's not an easy ride through the teenage years of hormones, stress and changes. And it's made even more difficult by the numerous negative stereotypes and preconceived ideas society seem to have about us.

There are still some stigma's which are overly present in society.

We are all thugs 
The 2000's was a real breakthrough decade.

Flip phones, social media and pop groups galore.

Unfortunately it also saw the birth of the 'teenagers are all thugs' image which we have been desperately trying to shake ever since.

It seems to be fading out but that doesn't mean it's completely gone, not yet.

I'm getting more smiles from the elderly and less crossing-the-road-to-avoid-me occurrences.

But it's still an issue. At almost 18 years of age I am still scared of teenagers or, more specifically, groups of teenagers who look threatening. It's a stereotype which will not just disappear.

We can only hope to regain our positive place in society sometime in the near future and, maybe, with so many positive stories of teenagers outnumbering the negative ones, we are close to that place already.

Our opinions are not valid
Important issues such as politics deserve to have a secure place in everyday conversation. It's the type of thing you can't avoid so why try to?

In events such as Brexit or Donald Trump's election young people have had their say but, sadly, these opinions are often rejected by middle aged, middle class, white men who fear we 'lack education' or 'can't even vote yet'. But, just because we do not have the ability to vote it does not mean we can't have our own opinion. More commonly than not this opinion is based on our own research and understanding of important topics such as immigration, sexism and racism.

We are young, influential and, importantly, open minded. The changes in years to come will be our doing. The power is in our hands. It is our time.

If the case is you feel we are not properly educated maybe you should make a stand and attempt to change the system. A simple protest or petition here and there is bound to make some change even if just the publicity allowing more people to join your campaign.

Please don't blame us for not knowing about the 'bigger issues' when we are stuck in a classroom 5 days a week where these are not taught.

We are a burden
It's difficult to be a teen in this world and not feel like you are a massive problem to everyone.

A common example of this is the doctors. As a overly worried teenage girl I have several trips to the doctors each year, some quick, one minute appointments where they take my blood pressure and give me my tablets but others not so quick.

I may be the type of person to give a cheeky google of my symptoms and panic when I realise they are signs of some deadly disease which, in all likeliness i probably don't have. But google is my friend, especially when the alternative is facing the dreaded doctors surgery.

Each time I go I feel so insignificant; like I'm probably worrying about nothing. I feel a sense of disgust and a 'just get over it' vibe which means I probably won't be going back when I have a serious problem which needs addressing.

Relationships won't last
Yes I am young and yes, my relationship may not work out in the long run. But also, it might.

Please don't shove your 'you're young, things won't last' idea down my throat when you have not the slightest idea about how things are going. I appreciate your concern about not getting my hopes up and all that but sometimes maybe it doesn't need saying.

Not every teenage relationship is destined for failure and heartache, please leave me to suffer or celebrate in peace.

Stop the stereotyping of things you think you know about us and get to know us as individuals; our kindness might surprise you.

--- Aimee ---

Females in Football

Leggings. Jeans. Thermal. T-shirt. Jumper.

Coat. Hat. Scarf. Socks.

Another pair of socks.

You would think I was heading out to the Arctic with the multiple layers of warmth I dressed myself with a few weeks ago. But I'm afraid I'm not that adventurous.

No, these layers were my clothing choices prior to leaving the house to head in preparation to yet another (poorly attended) football game at the Madejski Stadium.

It was cold. Bitterly cold.

I found myself asking myself 'what am I doing here?' And I probably wasn't the only one thinking that. But the other people that were sharing my thought were not considering their own presence at the game; they were considering mine.

I'm a young, teenage girl at a football game, this isn't my place.

Photo Credits: Mark Beeley

Attending another game last night (who doesn't love a bit of Tuesday night football?) and I found I could not help but notice the severe lack of females. Or, to be more honest, the lack of females who wanted to go and weren't just tagging along because their partners wanted them there.

Because, unfortunately females are still in the minority when it comes to football matches. The committee itself is male dominated but does it need to be the same for the fans?

It's no wonder females often choose not to go, given the poor reputation of fouling, abusive language and behaviour associated with the game.

But, and here's the cliche; it's not that bad.

You won't go to a football match and be harassed or abused (at least not the games I go to). You won't be attacked due to your gender. You probably won't even be asked why you're there. You'll be accepted, but only after they've registered the idea that women can enjoy football too.

It's not everyone's idea of fun and it's certainly not ladylike but who said I ever wanted to be a 'lady' anyway? That doesn't sound like my idea of fun.

Time and time again I have found myself in the situation where, not only is knowledge on football not expected of me, it is treated with a shock reaction.

Yes I actually could name more than 10 football teams. Yes I could name more than 10 players. Yes I know that England will not be playing Liverpool in the World Cup.

No my knowledge is not perfect. I'm still a bit wobbly on the offside rule, I don't know all the players and I don't follow all of the team statistics and ratings. But that doesn't mean it doesn't interest me.

Football is not my life nor is it my priority each and everyday. I don't spend my days worrying about whose injured this time and how long for. Or how many points Reading need to be third. Or how other teams that I don't even care about are getting on.

Instead I spend my evenings catching up on last nights EastEnders and trying to understand what exactly Shakespeare meant by using an intense amount of animal imagery in King Lear. (Priorities!)

So, if you're going to judge my lack of football knowledge please do so on the basis that I don't follow the team news or the league table. Or the fact that I don't watch matches I miss on tv or catch them on the radio.

Judge me because I haven't paid attention to the new signing or change in ownership.

Don't judge me because I'm a woman.

I deserve to be here just as much as you do.

--- Aimee ---