Beyond all the negative headlines, what do we really know about Britain's teen boys? Simon Hattenstone takes a trip deep into boy world and finds that it's very different from what you might expect…Simon Hattenstone
The Guardian,
Saturday 10 October 2009
"So what is Export?" The teenage lads look at me as if I must be joking. Jake bursts out laughing, then Elias, then the others. "Xbox," Jake says. "Not Export. Xbox – it's a computer game."
We are outside Nasif's house, waiting for him to get back from school. Elias says that 15 is a funny age – you're too old to stay at home, too young to go clubbing. "That's why we go to our friends' houses," Ali says, perching precariously on his bike. "It's warm, comfortable, relaxed." A second later, they're on to talking about girlfriends. Most can't be bothered with them – they went through all that nonsense years ago. "Girls just never stop wanting," Ali says. "They're greedy." For what? "Anything." Going out with girls is something you might do when you're younger, more naive, they say, the voices of world-weary experience.
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24 comments:
I'd say it's pretty biased. I mean, sure the media's image of teenage boys is a bit exaggerated, but what he's doing here is presenting only the good side. Then again, I guess that was the whole point of the article, to show people that not all teenagers are aggressive, swear and indulge in criminal behaviour.
However, I think that in his quest to prove a stereotype wrong he went a little overboard. One thing that really strikes me as unrealistic is how they all have decided on their career paths and they're all respected jobs- doctor, pilot, soldier? Most teenager don't even know what they want to do, let alone aim at such ambitious careers.
But still it was nice to read something positive...
Long article - and I agree with you Kris.
The article was different than others I have read, but not less in quality. To be honest, I was not expecting this, I was expecting at least a debate, and at max, a thorough exam into a teenager's mind.
Everyone is different. All teenager's attitudes result from past life, experiences, and the environment around them. When they do something bad, it's the influence of the adults above them, don't they always say something like: "You are an example to people younger than you", yet teenagers watch adults in war, and become addicted to it, thus thats the origin of the violence. Gangsters and all that make people look cool, look deadly, and look tough, which is just human nature.
Naturally, I love wearing hoodies, since i was about 10, not to be cool, but it actually looks good. So does that mean im gangster, and I carry a knife? Firstly, I don't need one. Secondly, gangsters are simply (im sure everyone has heard this) "wanna be's" of others who are serious in this gang business.
I have never been to Britain so I can't judge about the life there. But what's common to every teenager, is that we all think differently.
The last part of the article was a very stupid statement, in my opinion.
"In a strange way, maybe Britain's demonisation of teen boys has made them grow up more quickly". - The very demonisation of teenagers has caused them to look up in despair, and copy those who seem, to their eyes, the cure to everyday harshness, such as school. We grow up more quickly (not all of us), because the technologies we see today make us wonder. We grow up more quickly, because some/most of us have realised the right direction, the one that leads to intellect and success. And, we grow up more quickly, because we resist the "demonisation" they throw at us. It's like a dangerous animal, we see it, we are overwhelmed with fear, we turn our backs on it, and run. But, of course, there is the few who get knocked down when they turn around, so those are the ones who become your "gangsters", and the violent.
Besides, no adult can comprehend what goes through teenager's minds, as their thoughts, habits and actions change by year, so this article is a bit farfetched to me.
There is no secret life, only one that adults don't understand, one that we hide. What's wrong with swearing? Isn't it just a bunch of vocal cords, that can show your anger, suprise and happiness?
How is it bad? Of course, society makes it look bad, for a reason I will never understand (reffering to those who don't have a religion, of course).
Overall, the article brought alot of thoughts and engaged me to ponder alot of questions. It was good but a little farfetched.
Hmmm... I agree with Moe and Kris. And lets not forget that it is these stereotypes of British teenagers especially by media that will inevitably lead to a self fulfilling prophecy. Or should I say, a thorough brainwashing.
Haha! This is freaky because I had just finished reading the article, then I open the website and here it is again!
I think the reason why teenagres have become so stereotyped and portryaed in such a horrible manner is that people just forgot what they were like when they were tenagers. For some reason, there's always an assumption that "We were a lot better when we were 15 than 15 year olds are today". Sure, things were different, maybe violence was less, but that doesn't mean that they as people have become more violent.
People just lose touch, unless you're a teacher. They go work in corporate companies, deal with people of ages 25 and above. They might've had a teenager at some point who's now all grown up to be a yougn man/woman, and so they just forget and fall for everything the media writes about teenage boys today, because they have no hands on experience.
I've always been against stereotypes, they ruin our lives and they're extremely superficial. No fair to call every teenage boy there is out there now a gangster just because he wears a hoodie. I do agree with Kris, though, that this article mainky focused on the "bright" side of teenage boys. And she's right, maybe that was the whole point. But this article , I think, would've been a lot more whole and insughtful, if it also portrayed the troubled phases that teenagers go through.
It was a good read, gives people something to think about, especially those who have fallen for all the stereotyping that has been thrust upon teeangers, boys to be specific.
'less emotional upset, no periods, not the same pressure to dress well.'
yes. very true. :) I agree with the whole 'bitching within girl groups as well'.. Girls are more complicated, and i swear, every single day is so dramatic that it could beat Beverly Hills 90210 XD Boys always seem to have it all easier than girls, and I sometimes wish I could be one to get rid of all the drama that girls have to go through. Besides, parading in a jock strap can be quite amusing :P
I wasnt actually going to read the article but the "teen spirit" part of the title caught my eye. (and yes, it was because of the Nirvana song).
Thats a long article, I have to admit I didnt read all of it... But that was mainly because they're being so specific in what they're saying.
The kids that were interviewed werent from the richest or poorest backgrounds and who knows where the "Cool kids" are placed either. There are variables in A countries social socities and even more across the planet.
Its blatantly obvious that if he were to have a friendship with these people he wouldnt exactly write anything bad about them, neither will the interviewed person take them to their 'bad side'.
Kris also got the nail on the head with career paths. I think they're just saying it because they knew that they would be written about, I dont think he knows the challanges that lie ahead... But thats actually the same for most kids/teenagers nowadays, some have extremely large ambitions but they dont seem to realize how hard it is. Yes its possible but for the most part you dont see them persevering to acheive that goal. And you dont want to come off pesimistic either and squash their dreams!
I really dont know what to say about the article, it just creates this fake alternative the the already fake image of a teenage boy's life.
Regarding Kris's and Duwane's point about career paths - before the fire drill in the library with the year 11s I spoke to some of the students and asked them if they knew what they wanted to do. And all of them seemed fairly sure of what they'd do. Only one girl (can't remember who, I think Asima) said she didn't know. And I said not knowing is good.
sir, i think that was me who said i dont know what i want to do.
but anyway
i like how the article portrays the positive side of boys. its true that a stereotype has been created that boys are rowdy and so on but really not everyone is like that. people need to mature and erase such stereotypes from their minds.
"boys have it easier – less emotional upset, no periods, not the same pressure to dress well"
haha, i quite agree. boys DO have it easier. that sucks
but what i dont agree is how he generalised and said girls always debate upon who's best friends. not everyone is like that. im certainly not like that. we're all friends and it doesnt matter who's a better than friend than who. yes of course i have best friends, i have 3 infact, but that doesnt mean i hang out with them more than with my other friends.
but what crossed my mind was that how do we know these boys are actually telling us the truth. i mean, yeah theyre good kids and all but im sure one of them must have tried smoking or drinking or an act in criminal violence. if i was being interviewed i would probably not reveal my dark secrets either.
The stereotyped that people had of teenagers in the UK got me in trouble for dumb reasons.
I've been kicked out of shops.
Searched.
Pointed out by people in the mall for something i didn't do.
Been followed by a Gaurd for no reason.
and a bunch of others.
Ya the media did a great job stereotyping the teenage males.
But i don't see what so special about this article ? We all already knew the things it pointed out.
I like the way Nas takes his parents divorce in a positive way... I can't even imagine any of us thinking like that.
Hah, if you're really interesting enough you don't need alcohol to "fit in" at a party... that's EXACTLY what I think :)
"If you don't like somebody you just give them a punch in the face." I like that! But it is so true, there is so much more going on with girls. And about the bitching part, I couldn't have said it better myself. Sometimes, it's always best to have guy friends.
I like this article. It is quite biased, but it is also positive.
I wonder what an article about girls would be like!
I completely agree with Arriza on this….Girls are much more complicated than boys…they have more problems and more issues.
P.S. the article was sooo long.
Can't believe I read that. Anyway, I liked the article. Who knows whether it was completely accurate or not - you can't really trust media these days :/ - but it was refreshing to see a change.
I'm not a guy (psh) but I've got some perfectly nice guy-friends on whose behalves I get annoyed when I see articles that say ~OMG TEENAGE BOYS ARE BAD NEWS RUN AWAYYYY. True, yes, that boys these days can be trouble but that's a...
Well, it's not a minority. It's a pretty big percentage.
And yes. 8| Boys do have it easier. They ask us why we bitch all the time, well try living in our shoes for 5 days a month!
Also, Arizza, the "Teen Spirit" thing caught my eye too ;3
This article was too long.
I didn't read all of it either.
Once I saw how huge it was I thought of "pretending" I couldn't see this post, then decided it still is homework.
I am actually against this whole article. The human mind and brain is much more complex. As well as our personalities, they all vary from what feelings and events we have experienced through out our life. Out of the millions of teenagers in UK, they only did 1000. Yet again some sort of information is better than none.
There is no secret life in any teenage life. It's just a new generation. Teenage boys in Britian can tell the tale of how it is really like since they have lived through it. Not a lady who knocks on a door and decides to stalk boys to see how life is for them. That's just her opinion.
Well, I agree with Kris right at the top. The article was extremely biased. The article presents only the good side of teenage Britons. It does not tell us the other side of teenagers. But, I like it. Why? Because it is a positive article. All what we have heard for a long time is how teenagers in Britain are corrupted, thugs, and don't respect their elders. But its nice to here that there are at least some, however small that minority be, that are GOOD!
The article is biased, but it is positive, and thats great.
And yes, it was too long.
I also agree to the fact that the article is biased. Every individual is different.
Nasif is a very sensible boy. He is like many teenagers of today. He is sure want is wants to do. I'm surprised how he has taken his parent's divorce so positvely. It's pretty unusal for someone to do that because most of us won't even think like that. He is mature in his thinking which is why he realises that there is no appeal in smoking or drinking and doesn't feel the need to do it because it is a trend or for the heck of it.
I agree on the fact that teenagers are brought into negative light so it is nice to see a positive article on teenagers who are normal like anyone.
The are definitely different expectations from boys and girls because of the stereotypes but i dont believe in them. So perceiving boys in a negative way everytime is wrong and this article tells that.
But then since every individual is different we cannot put all teenagers under one group/category.
The article is very nice and positive.
HELLLOOOOO Mr Roberts hehhehe I was the one who wanted to be a neurosurgeon, not the one who didn't know what i wanted to do!!! hahahah, how could you forget??
now back to the topic hehehe!!!
it was a very pleasant article to read as I myself have read many articles describing teens in a negative light and therefore this was something different. but I have to agree with Kris it does seem a little biased, as if it was concentrating so much on positive facts that it seemed to look fake. although I must say I agree with almost all the points, I do believe that you don't have to drink or smoke to be 'cool', I also am a head strong person and love planning my life and aiming high, I can name a number of people in our school that have the same thinking as me. I do think that like in every case there are a few "sour grapes" that seem to give the entire group a bad name and as always concentration is generally on the negative, its just up to us to do so much right that we over power those who do wrong forcing people to view teens from a different angle.
this was a really interesting article! i liked how they showed all boys aren't monsters, and they sort of broke the stereotype. But they should have interviewed three completely different boys, because i know majority aren't that nice, or down to earth.
Over the years i have actually found it much easier to be friends with guys than deal with all the drama that goes on with girls and their hairstyles, and cliques, trends, and especially the backstabbing!, i could honestly care less about your makeup, clothes, likes, dislikes, as long as your a good person the rest just does'nt matter. Many start fights over nothing!
My young cousin always says she wishes she could be a boy because they are less dramatic, and don't really care what the other guy is wearing and etc, i sometimes wish that as well.
Anyways, it was nice to see another side of the story.
I agree. It is quite biased as they have mostly written the article about the down to earth boys, however it is a positive article which is reinforcing the optimism felt toward the boys. I guess this also reassures readers that not EVERY single boy in Britain is a thug or aggressive, since the stereotypes have basically brainwashed everyone's minds! Honestly, so what if a person wears a hoodie?? Its not like thats a sign that the person has stuffed a gun in their pants (though that is what the stereotypes have led most to believe!!) I also agree with what Moe said about being a 'wanna be' and that these wanna be's are mistaken for actual gangsters who are serious about their reputation.
Other than that, I thought the article was quite insightful. (oh, and it was seriously LONG!!!) :)
I agree, the article was too long! But it did give us a positive perspective of teens.
When I was studying in Leeds, England, 300 cars were stolen in the first three months of my stay there - most stolen by teenagers. One evening I looked outside my window and saw a group of teens pour gasoline over a car and set it on fire - for fun...
Your attitude depends on your upbringing. And especially your peers. But what's wrong with being ambitious. If there were no dreams, we wouldnt set out to accomplish impossible things.
Growing up before your age shouldnt be considered bad. I think it just means that you are mature and thats a positive way to look at it. You can handle stuff and adults give you more responsibility. And with resposibility comes freedom.
I would like to be considered mature before my age. My parents would trust me more. Unfortunately, thats not the case.
But anyways, it's an adept behaviour.
And not every teenager has the seed of evil sowed in his mind.
That was a super long article but it was good. I like how the writer showed that there is actually a good side to briton boys. I think the Stephen Lawrence case and cases like that are etched into people's mind over in England amd this creates the image of the typical stereotyped boy.I agree with Kris and Mo that it was biased and unrealistic about the part of them knowing what they want to do. In the article the writer talked about the education, families and gangs. I guess its all about how the person has been brought up, since the families do the socialisation, they've done a pretty good job of the guys in this articles, they've showed them the importance of education. However, since the writer was doing an observational research, the outcome of the article would be positive due to the acting put up by the children, they knew they were going to be written about and so could have carefully chosen their words and actions.
I agree with Nadine- the reason people tend to stereotype teenagers is because they have forgotten how they were when they were our age. I bet that even our mothers and fathers did a lot of stuff that they themselves rate as "bad" today.
Although I must say that, if this article is indeed as tru as it claims to be then the kids in U.K are quite ambitious, atleast compared to the 14 and 15 year olds in Dubai.
On the whole, it was a pretty informative and honest article.
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