Three groups are all that's needed to 'class' a teenager nowadays. It's sad, but the majority feel that it's true. »Read your comments here 
Let's face it. We all hate being stereotyped by adults ("stupid teenage vandals", "thoughtless kids" etc) so why stereotype each other? | | Chris Leonard |
Even those who deny it ferociously often place others of their own age into a certain category, or mould them into a stereotype decided by what they wear, how they act and who they're with. Townies Some call themselves Townies with a certain pride, others react badly to the term, and some just don't care as long as they've got the latest pair of trainers. Here we have the first tell-tale sign of a judgement: style.  | | Townie icon? Ali G |
All the groups are separated by their own senses of style, and Townies are generally stereotyped as permanently wearing the latest sports gear, sometimes along with heavy jewellery - something that "Bling-Bling-King Ali-G" picked up on and used entertainingly in his TV series. Goths Goths are generally judged by their choice of alternative styles and music, and usually stereotyped as quiet, shadow-clinging teens with wardrobes full of black clothes.  | | It's not just Goths who like Sisters of Mercy . . . |
Gigs and festivals are places where Goths can expect to be found in big numbers, but you see them (usually hiding in the shadows) everywhere - even in sunny seaside Whitby, where I went on holiday this summer. Bram Stoker, author of Dracula, stayed there, see ... Surfers, Skaters and the Rest This final group are the misfits who can't be judged quite enough to fit into one of the other categories. Skaters and Surfers are fairly self-explanatory (and have a style of their own, with board-wear featuring heavily for both). The Rest are the lucky few who don't fit into any groups because of their mixed interests. Some teens - shock, horror, - actually like both Goth and Townie music! Skating AND football!  | | Looks like a skater but he's an individual too |
Being classed like this is, to say the least, annoying. Walking through a town centre with an apparently Gothic band-name on your T-shirt can get you numerous shouts of abuse from crowds of Townies. Hanging around a gig in sportwear can have the same effect in vice-versa. Why can't you be an individual? Because of friends? Because of choices in clothes and music? Precisely. Let's face it. We all hate being stereotyped by adults ("stupid teenage vandals", "thoughtless kids" etc) so why stereotype each other?! Why not, next time, just think before you decide to make a snap judgement about someone on first appearances? You might even learn something. More about the BBC Teens survey 
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