Representations of Teenagers

Teenagers have always been stereotyped into different categories. It is quite similar to the characteristics that they have in 'teen dramas'. They would fall into categories of:  juvenile/delinquent, dumb, superficial and sarcastic, self-aware and bitter.

Today I'm going to talk about how teenagers are represented in media text. For my first example I'm going to use Kerrang! magazine.

Kerrang! Magazine is specifically targeted at teenagers which are interested into rock/metal music. Teenagers are most likely to read this magazine as they are usually talking about new/ young bands. They are not the types of bands that you would see is 'Classic Rock' magazine, as classic rock magazine is talking about bands from the 80-90's. 

 . The usual stereotypes of teenagers that read Kerrang! are 'Emo's or Scene kids'. Society sees them as rebels, they usually wear dark makeup, skinny jeans, side fringes and black hair. So, the usual alternative look is going on. We can think that it is the truth, as most of the artists and band members that Kerrang is writing about are looking that way. We can say that the look of the bands are influencing teenagers to look the same way. That is the reason for a lot of alternative clothing and merchandise adverts all around the magazine. They want to have the same clothes as the band members and also band t-shirts of their favorite band. 

I think that it is pretty realistic representation as i do have friends that are reading this magazine and they do look more alternative. What means coloured hair, tattoos and piercing (society calls them emos or scenes). Even, me as reader of Kerrang magazine. I do look more alternative on daily bases; band shirts, piercing and dark makeup. It is very stereotypical but it is the correct representation and it is realistic. However, some of the people look 'normal' they don't have that alternative style and are not rebellious. So it does depend on the person and how interested they are in content of the magazine. 

Teenagers are made to appear different from adults, as adult wouldn't read this kind of magazine as it is not the music from their generation. From this magazine, teens appear to be rebellious, wild. something and people would call 'hardcore'. Teenagers are more wild then an adults, as they are dyeing their hair crazy colours and want to have more and more tattoos. It makes them look irresponsible.