Typical Teen Stereotypes

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Shannon is a 16 year old from Maryland. She enjoys writing, is pro recycling, and loves the Jonas Brothers.

1. Being black means you are “ghetto”

2. If you are black and you don’t act “ghetto”, that means you act like a “white girl/guy”

3.Wearing dark make-up means you are gothic

4. If you are athletic that means you are butch

5. If you go to an all girls school that makes you a slut or a lesbian

6. If you want to have sex you are a skank; If you don’t want to have sex you’re a prude

7. If you’re brainy then that means you’re a “geek” that’s intimidating and boys won’t like you

These are just a few stereotypes that teens deal with on a daily basis. I’ve been thinking about it a lot lately because I’ve gotten a few comments recently about my mixed group of friends. So I just wanted to reinforce the fact that stereotypes only encourage pre-judgment and create unnecessary barriers between people.

Stop trying to read me or figure me out. Maybe I like to be unpeggable. I don’t want to be a doll on your shelf or a trophy in your case. I’m an actual person with real thoughts and feelings and as cliché as that sounds, no one can define me but ME.

“Screw the double standard” That’s what they say. Maybe by trying to do that they’ll realize it’s virtually impossible.

“Don’t be too fat, or too thin, or too dark, or too light; don’t be too sexual, or too chaste, or too smart, or too dumb. Be yourself. But make sure you fit in.” -One Tree Hill

*thumbs up, sarcastic smile*

You can never please everyone. So forget the labels, forget to the stereotypes; just focus on being you.

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  • Jeanmarie

    Shannon – EXCELLENT post – I look forward to reading more from you :-) (And NO – I am not her mother!!)

  • http://www.newoldmomsclub.com Tina Williams

    I just came across your blog via another and I have to say that I am so happy that I did. First of all, congratulations on all you’ve accomplished in such a short period of time!

    We have 4 daughters, ages 11,12,14 and 2. So far so good but I do hope they are as entreprenuerial as you when they get just a bit older.

    I just spent so time going through your posts. Excellent job. This one paticular was very well done.

    In our house, we have one thing that we live by, “Who do you see when you look in the mirror?” That is what is important. Trying to fit into who YOU want to see in the mirror is all that’s important.

    I cracked up when I saw your One Tree Hill quote! We spent all summer watching it over and over and the world almost came to an end last night when I changed the channel as it came on!

    Keep writing, I’ll keep reading and I am adding this site to my blog so more people can see how excellent you are!

    @newoldmom
    @bestreflections

  • http://www.celisedowns.com/blog Celise

    And you can’t forget about African-American males have great athletic ability. Or if you’re African-American then all you listen to is rap and hip-hop. That second one cracks me up. I get a kick out of people’s reaction when I tell them that my favorite group is Linkin Park and I mostly listen to alternative music.

    OTOH, my husband–who’s white–loves R&B and Rap. In fact, his favorite artist is Beyonce. I don’t think stereotyping will ever go away. If people can’t put you in some kind of category then the world might tilt off its axis. Or something crazy like that.

    Great post.

  • http://www.OnTeensToday.com Vanessa Van Petten

    Yes! I love this article Shannon, thanks for all the nice comments everyone!

    Vanessa

  • Shannon

    Thanks you all so much for the wonderful comments. I’m so glad you enjoyed reading this piece as much as I enjoyed writing it!

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  • Qiana

    Wow i give you kudos for writing this blog. I am recently researching teen stereotypes and cliques throughout the life of high school.

    i agree with the part where you added the One Tree Hill quote (by the way love that show!) why do we have to go through our lives impressing people? I dont wake up everyday and put make up on for the people i encounter, i put it on for me so i can feel good about myself. I dont dress to a certain code. can express myself in ways that at the end of hte day i regret nothing and i am happy to be the person i am. I just feel so sorry for all the girls/boys that go through life trying to impres those around them.

  • Vanessa Van Petten

    thanks for this comment and for reading!

    Vanessa

  • josh

    Stereotypes are hypocritical. Some may think i am a geek because i am smart. But others think I’m cool because i am in all sorts of activities. Stereotypes have taken over the minds of everyone. You see some kid in school and they look geeky but when you get to know them they’re not. They can’t control their looks, s o why base their “personality” on that.