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 ---