AC's Conclusions on Teen Agers

[Aqua-chan]

Alright, I'll say it right off the bat. I have no expectations that anyone will read through this thing entirely. You could probably skim it over and discuss it without reading, but I'm putting all of this down for reference for SYMers who may need this valuable information - It may save thier lives one day.

They throw paper, smack on gum and chew on thier pencils. When they don't know the answers to he questions on thier math homework, instead of looking for help in thier books, they come up and say "Hey, teacher. I dun get this". They talk, sleep, eat and throw snooty temper-tantrums just to maintane thier egos.

Yep, I'm talking about Teen Agers.

In the world of cell-phones, tv and freaky hair colors, I have learned a LOT. Teens' minds work in strange ways that we adults would consider insane. Now, it's "cool" to go into war and shoot people down, "awesome" to color your hair black with neon-green highlites, and beauty means fitting into a size-zero and wearing the most expensive brand-names and latest styles.

After all of my studying and research or students in my classes, this is the information that I have collected and analyzed. Now, it is being presented to the world of SYM for safety reasons. Here are my results:

There are four major sectors that Teens are divided into, I've found. First, are the Prepsand Jocks - the snooty group who, I would swear on my life, is a tightly-woven network of some sort of secret organization that is plotting against the other three primary groups. To identify a Preppy or Jock, in the women you should look for: skin-tight clothes, almost always brandnames such as Mudd, Adidas and others. Girls band together in tight clans, usually in numbers of 5-15 members per clan. Cell phones are common, as are expensive almost-natural looking highlightes. Men have basically fallen into baggy-pants/t-shirt look, sometimes wearing one long-sleeved shirt under a short-sleeved. Sometimes have colored hair at the tips and is usually spiked up with gel. The young men are usually quite athletic, though this rule doesn't always apply. Overall, it is not hard to identify them and they must be observed from a distance - this group is probably the most dangerous as they have inflated egos and are most likely to drag you into an arguement over the most stupid things. The key rule to this group is that The Preps are NEVER, under any circumstance, wrong.

Completely opposite to the Preps are the Goths. Goths are the alternates to Preppy people, usually being quiet unless provoked or high on some controlled substance. The appearence of the Goth is simple, and quite easy to indentify. They are, for the most part, black-clad. Thier clothes may include red or silver details, and thier hair tends to be either black or bleach-blonde. Another think to note is that thier skin is somewhat pale, whether naturally or cosmetically is still a mystery to me. They tend to fall back in classes, usually silent unless they're around friends. Goths, for the most part, are not particularly hostile. They follow rules and directions, usually listen to you, and don't bring a whole lot of attention to themselves. Gothic students are not to be mistaken for Hostiles. Also, NEVER call a Goth a Prep - it is highly offencive to them, as known from experience.

Third in line are the Hostiles - the students who LIVE to make you miserable. They never do thier homework, never come to class prepared and, as I believe, are always looking for an excuse to start a verbal arguement with thier teachers. When given the choice, they sit in the back of the room where they can talk to each other without interuption from the teacher ( rolleyes: ). Hostiles travel in large groups - usually 5-20 students per group. They are a part-time alliance to the Preps, as they pick on Nuetrals and bother Goths for no apparent reason other than they can. Why Hostiles and Preps even work together in some cases has yet to be answered, but perhaps I will be able to figure it out with more studies and examinations. Hostiles are usually males, though some females can be classified into this group. Swearing is all right, and rules don't apply when you're throwing paper wads at your friends and/or enemies. Hostiles are completely incompatable with Nuetrals, and Goths tend to avoid them all together.

The final group is the Nuetrals. This is the alternate class that contains people of all shapes and sizes. Health and good hygeine is observed (It's a miracle!) and friends are made, reguardless of outward appearences. Social skills vary, though many Nuetrals are quite friendly to one-another. Because this class contains so many charactoristics, I don't think it's possible to evaluate them all, but I can honestly say that they are the most compatable and easiest to handle for teachers. They do as thier told with few problems, and avoid the other major groups, though I have seen indavidual Nuetrals and Goths become friends. They stay away from Preps and Hostiles, and with good reason. There is no range of sized for Nuetral clans and groups: they can be large or small. Outward appearnece is observed, but not used to discriminate anyone.

And those are the four Major groups. Some rare exceptions may fall into two categories, but I have yet to find a student who falls into three.

I have come up with a sort of definition for students. There are three major types, as I call them, A-Categories: Athletic, Artistic, Acedemic. Each student is at least one of these categories, and is thereby a normal student. To be two of these categories, such as Artistic and Acedemic, then the child is blessed. To be all three... Then that child is god. (Three weeks into the year, I have yet to see any child fall into all three categories, by the way. )

Lastly, what I see aftershool. Cell phones, pagers, cd players, electronic organizers, beeping watches, mountain bikes - I once even saw a student bring an electric toothbrush to brush his teeth after classes. This is the electronic generation. Computers dominate teens' lives for convenience or to announce social status. Teens believe these days that the more you have is equal to the better off you are in the crowds. While this is observed, it is also a dangerous rule. Example: Sally is showing off her new 40$ CD/Radio/Headphone set with some interesting little gadgets and things to her friends before school. Oh, guess what. By the end of the day, that nifty toy has been stolen. THAT is how this is a dangerous age. Thieving is a major problem among Teens, as is lieing. To steal is impressive to one's friends, but to get away with it means you are now a god. But if you're busted, then it's all over...

And those are my notes from Jr High school students. They are pureply for reference and discussion reasons, and I have to put my notes SOMEWHERE safe where I know that those conspirising Preps won't see them.

Feel free to add onto my notes about Teens. Share your knowledge - Knowledge is power, and as I have said, it may save your life.

[Tybaltus]

I think every community can be different in the way that groups can be percieved.

Im surprised you didnt say anything about the computer/smart groups. I guess they would kind of be classified as Nuetrals, but that doesnt give the group justice. I think I came closest to being associated with this group as a high school student. Though I hated the idea of popular thought and "groups". I tended to blend in where ever the hell I wanted to go. I think at one point or another I have been associated with or hung around with every group mentioned. Though I just never really bound myself to the idea that people are seperated into groups. I let myself be known to all groups, and made friendships to those who I found to be good people, not really caring what group they are from. I found that I liked and disliked certain people in each group, and I found it surprising that people from every given group are actually quite the same, when it is boiled down to it.

[Aqua-chan]

I hope I didn't give the impression that this was absolutely how everything had to be in every society. This is more of an in-general analysis of what I have learned. It's been almost a decade since I was at this point, but I remember it quite well... I was a Nuetral, mostly geeky and hanging in the low. I was afraid of the preppy people because I was so self-contious about myself after a few confrontations with them.

These groups are meant to show who-sticks-with-who kind of thing. It's not to often you see a high-fashion, size-zero redhead walking around the school with one of the technical students who isn't really... what's the word I'm looking for... "ranked" highly in society. Truth be told, I personally think teens are to discriminative these days. Originality is no longer a main conept for some people, especially in larger cities like us in O'Fallon. Everyone wants to be popular it seems, though there are quite a few who don't want to be that just hide in the back.

I have seen Nuetral society people bond with Gothic students.. As a matter of fact, I was in a really screwy group in highschool. There was me, mostly down to earth, my really hyper friend, a gothic, mellowed-out girl, and another girl who could never keep her mind to one thing. The Goth and the Prep hated each other, and I never liked the girl with the scrambled mind. Though we stuck together, we all sort of had negative reactions to one another, which was a major reason why I began to even start taking these notes.

See, Tibbs. You just gave another example of a class. The Computer Techies. More notes that I can follow up with.

[Obsidian]

Interesting. There is a lot of truth in what you say. I especially like your 3 A's point. It's very true. Everyone is good at something, a few gifted are good at a couple, a greater few are good at all 3.
Your 4 major groups however, are slightly off. Preps and Jocks can be very different from each other. Prep in one end can contain the computer whizz, though usually don't. I would argue there are 6 groups.

Preps/jocks. makes sense as a whole. Can also be called the Stereotypically popular kids.

Goths- Vary in size from school to school. Based around a group of hardcore goths who believe the paradigm and many more who like the look and attitude.

Hostiles - I'd add "skid" onto this. Usually the kids who are burn outs from drugs and alchohol, smoke at every oppurtunity. Some can be extremely cool and nice people. They dislike authority. A lot. They respect attitude and wit. Talking back to teacher wittily is a great step up in their opinions of you. Have a general dislike for "over acheivers". Probably because they rarely achieve, though many of them are highly gifted.

Neutrals- As is. The nice guys that slide from group to group and build bridges between each. Many are gifted and are strong leaders and likeable.

New groups. (Expansion pack)


- Cast offs - The kids who want to be cool, but can't. They lack the necessary skills to make them noticeable in the other main groups, so form their own. Misfits, the annoying kids usually into anime, comics, magic cards (which are cool I admit) and pretend not to care what people think of them, but deep down do.


- Alternatives. Anti Conformists. Punks mostly, dress in older clothes because they like it. Do what they feel like and make petty trouble. Talented in the arts especially, talented leaders and speakers. They have their own looks, hate Nike, Dubyah and the War on Terrorism. Ranges from small l liberals who equate nationalism with fascism and those who see the world differently. Have their own moral compass. Really don't care what the prep/jocks think because they are all to close minded. ( In their opinion)


Hows that, my fingers disclocated and is getting painful to type, more later.

[Tybaltus]

Quote:

Originally posted by Aqua-chan I hope I didn't give the impression that this was absolutely how everything had to be in every society. This is more of an in-general analysis of what I have learned. It's been almost a decade since I was at this point, but I remember it quite well... I was a Nuetral, mostly geeky and hanging in the low. I was afraid of the preppy people because I was so self-contious about myself after a few confrontations with them. These groups are meant to show who-sticks-with-who kind of thing. It's not to often you see a high-fashion, size-zero redhead walking around the school with one of the technical students who isn't really... what's the word I'm looking for... "ranked" highly in society. Truth be told, I personally think teens are to discriminative these days. Originality is no longer a main conept for some people, especially in larger cities like us in O'Fallon. Everyone wants to be popular it seems, though there are quite a few who don't want to be that just hide in the back. I have seen Nuetral society people bond with Gothic students.. As a matter of fact, I was in a really screwy group in highschool. There was me, mostly down to earth, my really hyper friend, a gothic, mellowed-out girl, and another girl who could never keep her mind to one thing. The Goth and the Prep hated each other, and I never liked the girl with the scrambled mind. Though we stuck together, we all sort of had negative reactions to one another, which was a major reason why I began to even start taking these notes. See, Tibbs. You just gave another example of a class. The Computer Techies. More notes that I can follow up with.

Ok. Let me bring up comments for each paragraph (Are you in HLD mode also!? )
OK-No no. Dont worry that wasnt really the impression I got. Sorry you got scared by the "prepies" (ACK! I cant spel! ), they sometimes were quite aggressive and sometimes mean in school.

re:teens being discriminatice/wanting to be popular: You hit the nail on the head, there. Thats an unfortunate thing with many cases. Many people I didnt like were people who were striving for popularity. Those people bar themselves away from reality and tend not to open up to the unpopular people or even those of middle status, like me. I still found that open communication, and opening myself up to them, I found some that seemed like all they wanted to be popular, were just part of that general group, so I made friends there aswell.

Well I certainly never took notes, persay, but I did take notice at how certain people acted towards eachother. Many of my friends were ridiculed or ostracized from some of my other friends groups. And I hate it when Im hanging around some of my friends from one group and they talk negative things about some of my friends in another group. That always put me in a peculiar situation, cause I always want to defend my friends, but I dont want to be ostracized from any group. So, unfortunetly, I usually abstain, but sometimes I spoke out.

Glad to be of assistance!

[HighLordDave]

First of all, forgive the generalising.

You guys are also forgetting the rednecks, who are generally blue-collar kids who will either drop out of school or will graduate and go into a skilled vocation. These also include gearheads/motorheads. Very few rednecks end up going to college or a professional vocation because it is generally out of their world view.

Another group is the gang kids. In most places, these are generally the lower-class black and hispanic kids who have basically no family support and no where to go after high school (which is why the turn to gangs). They have generally been left behind by our schools (beginning before high school) and we often leave them to fend for themselves.

You also need to include the "hoppers", kids who adapt well and have friends among all the groups. These kids are very rare since much of high school is clique-driven, but every school has a handful. Generally, these kids are smart enough to talk the language of each group, gregarious and generally likeable.

EDIT-
@Tybaltus: You need to put the trademark symbol after HLD Mode™.

[Tybaltus]

Quote:

Originally posted by HighLordDave EDIT- @Tybaltus: You need to put the trademark symbol after HLD Mode™.

Sorry. Ill remember next time.

[Obsidian]

At HLD, I wouldn't classify "hoppers" as a distinct group, but as members, usually well respected members of groups that have the ability to cross clique borders. The successful student gov't people are like this. I like to think of myself as a Hopper, because I belong to a dozen cliques, the Drama productions, Rugby, Soccer (Captain this year Biatch!), the Advanced program in academics, I take tech classes with the "unsavoury" elements in the school and get along with them quite well. Most of the time, some of them still think I'm gay...

speaking of which, Preps/jocks and hostiles are quite often highly homophobic, while the Alts and Neutrals are far more accepting.

[Aegis]

I must be a "Hopper" then, as I roam from group to group. I generally take on the appearance of the "Lite Punk", but have slid more towards the dressier look . I also tend to be able to "belong" to every group. Playing Football (Team Captain. Booyah grandma, booyah) has put me into the joch, preppy group, while my style of dressing has placed me in with the Skids, punks, and neutrals. My general view of the world as made me popular with the Goths, and the Hostiles accept me, because they know I can verbally destroy them, if need be.

Anyway, from personal experiance, I think there are just a few things left out, namely, the Punk Group, which I love so much.

Punks are generally the loose clothed, loud music, banger kids who are generally liked by all, except administration. They tend to enjoy skateboarding and biking, but not much more physical activities then that. They are generally amiable people, and quite creative.

[Maharlika]

Quote:

Originally posted by Aqua-chan Share your knowledge - Knowledge is power, and as I have said, it may save your life.

...I think you may just have saved mine...

...since I had plans on taking my family and work in the US... hmmm... wonder if Canada is better...

Interesting inputs. I will perhaps give mine later as I'm pressed on finishing RL work right now.

[Aegis]

Quote:

Originally posted by Maharlika [COLOR=teal]...since I had plans on taking my family and work in the US... hmmm... wonder if Canada is better...

Well... In a few years it won't matter... US, Canada... It'll all be under the power of the Red and White army!... Oops...

[Ode to a Grasshopper]

Don't forget such classic groups as the skaties...
Whilst a lot of the skaties were my friends, they were all very much their own particular group.

[Jaesha]

I would fall into the Nuetral category.
I choose my friends carefully, I never pick a lier for a friend.
I trust all of my friends, and with good reason.
I have an easy time making friends with other persons, though, and I´ve got some in most of the categories (there are almost no goths in denmark), although it´s mostly the other Nuetrals I trust.
"Image-people" keep a distance to me mostly, as I tend to give them the cold shoulder.
...will add more later...

[Tybaltus]

Quote:

Originally posted by Jaesha (there are almost no goths in denmark)

Thats what the goths want you to think. So they are succeeding.

[HighLordDave]

We've also forgotten the nerds/geeks.