yoof groups

[themodgrover]

Why do young teenagers today seem only to be into chart stuff or heavy metal? I make this judgemet based upon their clothes and those shockingly bad hoodies (brand or band) that are so popular. Why have the two scenes, which i think in themselves have the least to offer an individual, become the masts to which kids nail their colours?

I've got a horrible feeling that its just because the people in one group dont want to be identified with the other. Please correct me!

[Lillabet]

I don't think it is as straightforward as 'all teenagers either like chart or heavy metal music.' There is a much more nuanced music scene than that.

Your judgement seems to be based upon teenagers wearing particular clothing. There will be music fans who don't wear the clothes and fashion fans who wear the clothes but have little music knowledge.

There are also plenty of teenagers who aren't that into either of these types of music. There are huge numbers of r'n'b, rap, soul, indie fans etc out there.

I am confused by your believing this to be to do with 'young teenagers today' - there have long been divisions based on taste such as the mods and rockers. Just a high visibility minority in each case.

Groups always like to self identify in a number of ways - particular vocabulary, behaviours, clothing etc. Surely this is just part of that tribal behaviour that happens throughout time and all over the world.

[natalie_1982]

I completely agree with the above posts I'd also like to add that perhaps you feel that there is only pop or metal as that is the trend of the area where you live.

The area where I live is predominantly black and black culture has a massive influence on the music and fashion of this area.  Put it this way - if you were a goth/ rocker you quite possibly wouldn't dress in that fashion and adervtise the fact that you are 'different'.

[jno]

Hoods seem like a reasonable response to a society with a CCTV camera watching you every 6 feet. Wear a hood and the only people who can see your face are the ones you're talking to.

[nicola_red]

I think this is a very generalised view, I see young people into all types of music and dress styles, but I think because they go out of their way to be 'outrageous' the metal fans are more conspicuous, and scallies/chavs get so much publicity you can't help notice them.  I would also say that the metal scene has an enormous amount to offer an individual - it advocates free-thinking and individualism and helps 'outsider' kids feel that being different is okay.  I joined that 'scene' at age 14 and am still proud to be a metal fan at 30.  It literally changed my life - no exaggeration, I think without it I would think completely differently on so many things.