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 by Emma Devany
Do young people still get a bad rep’
from the media? Emma Devany certainly thinks so, and she’s far from
happy about it. Here, Emma talks about the way she believes adults treat
young people, and what she thinks could be done about it.
Being a teenager isn’t easy these days. Take when you’re out and
about for instance. You feel like people are crossing the road just to
avoid you or they look at you like they want to slap an ASBO on you.
Well, thanks to the constant bad press that teens have been getting
recently, it’s hardly surprising that the majority of us feel like a
criminal as we walk down the street.
When looking at the daily papers, it is difficult to find anything
positive about young people. It seems that they would rather talk about
the minority of teens who are ‘drunken, violent yobs,’ whilst using
anything good that teenagers do as just ‘fillers’ for their newspapers.
No wonder people are crossing the road to avoid us after reading these
‘horror’ stories…
It is clear that the stereotyping of teens as ‘irresponsible and
ignorant’ is now so extreme that we, as young people, can’t change it.
Whatever we do will never be good enough… An example of this is GCSE’s
and A Levels.
We are constantly put under a lot of pressure when it comes to exams,
and are sick to death of having it drummed into our heads about the
importance of them. But when we do work really hard to achieve the best
possible grades that we can, we just get told that it was because ‘they
were easy.’
Typical- you’ve succeeded in something and you’re still getting called
‘lazy.’
It is often difficult to be taken seriously as a teen as well. When you
are looking for a part-time job, for instance. Employers are more likely
to be prejudiced against you because of what they have seen in the
papers, and therefore less likely to give you a job.
So it’s a ‘lose- lose’ situation thanks to the tabloids who, as part of
their jobs, portray us teens as hooligans.
This is unfair.
Those teens that don’t go into further education are always seen as
‘idle individuals’ who’d rather claim benefits when they leave school
instead of going to work. But what chance do they have of getting a job
with the press on their backs?
Television doesn’t help either.
Celebrities are always bragging about how much money they earn just for
being themselves. Inspiring? If anything, this just encourages teens to
take the easy route and to forget about their education, as they to try
and get famous by going on such programmes as ‘X- Factor etc.’
Celebs themselves are also bad influences, as many of our modern day
musicians, like Britney Spears and Robbie Williams, freely admit that
they take drugs and binge drink. It’s funny how they are admired for
this.
But complaining is what newspapers do best.
If it’s not about teenagers getting drunk it’s about how teens hang
about in the streets.
But do they not wonder why?
From experience, it isn’t really that fun sitting in a bus shelter with
your mates in the rain, and there’s no doubt that most teenagers would
much rather meet up with their friends in a nice, warm youth centre.
Problem is, though, there are none, or at least ones that we are aware
of...
So where else is there to go? Instead of accusing teens of causing
trouble in the streets at night, why not make us young people more aware
of what opportunities are available, or focus attention on creating
places for young people to go to?
This is both more encouraging and productive- and best of all, the
so-called ‘social problem’- that is, us teenagers- will also be solved!
But obviously, the media hasn’t got round to understanding that part
yet.
Bad news is always good news for the press, so when they are writing
their articles, they don’t seem to think that young people have enough
problems in their life without them making more.
Whether it is difficult family life or school life, like adults, us
teens have problems too. Rather than constantly putting us down,
wouldn’t it be a good idea to try and help those who are having problems
and who are resorting to living on the streets, rather than just slating
them for doing so…
It seems like us teenagers can’t do anything right. If you wear a
certain type of clothing, then you are instantly seen as a potential
troublemaker. It’s not like young people haven’t tried to change the
public perception of teenagers themselves.
More and more teens are getting involved with extra- curricular
activities and different award schemes so they can improve their lives,
whilst getting involved with the community, such as working towards the
Duke of Edinburgh Award.
But what can we do I hear you cry?
The answer is to prove those know- it all tabloids wrong! Get involved
with local activities and keep the papers well informed with what you’re
up to, as we say goodbye to stereotyping!
The Wigan Leisure & Culture Trust Youth Information Team (that’s us at
The LINC), provide a press and PR service on young people’s activities
achievements, helping you to get your achievements recognised by the
local media.
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If you have a positive
story about a young person in Wigan Borough, give us a shout at
linconline@wlct.org and our dedicated Young Person’s Press Officer
could help you get positive publicity for your event, activity or
achievement.
Meanwhile, for loads of stuff that young people can get involved in,
check out our
‘Things To Do’ page.
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