Stereotypes are shortcuts that appear in any type of context, and the life of adolescents is no exception.
Through the following article, we will try to collect the most recurrent stereotypes among young people, making a list in which we will analyze them in detail. We will be able to observe the differences between them and check what functions they would be fulfilling in their language and way of thinking.
Before being able to tell what the main stereotypes of adolescents are, we need to make a short introduction that clarifies some concepts that are fundamental to be able to move forward with the issue. First of all, we must stop at the very notion of stereotype.
A stereotype is a thinking shortcut consisting of a simplification of reality, whether about a person or a group. Stereotypes often convey exaggerated ideas and do not usually go into detail, but instead opt for a generalization based on certain traits that do not have to really occur, or at least not with the intensity that this concept conveys.
Therefore, as we will see in the next point, when we list the main stereotypes of adolescents, we will understand that these do not have to correspond to reality, or they may only do so in part or in certain circumstances. This is due to the generalization and simplification characteristic that stereotypes have.
Likewise, it must be taken into account that Stereotypes tend to be based on prejudices and also support and promote them Prejudices are negative beliefs that are held in a preconceived way towards some element, person or group. We will also verify that in some of the main stereotypes of adolescents, some of these negative perceptions also emerge.
What are the main stereotypes of adolescents?
After a brief introduction in which we have clarified some fundamental ideas, we can proceed to list the main stereotypes of adolescents, taking into account that they are not the only ones that can occur, but that they are some of the most representative.
One of the main stereotypes of adolescents is the one that has to do with their apparent avoidance of responsibilities. It is common for older people to see younger people as lacking commitment. However, this image does not have to correspond to reality.
In fact, some studies affirm that young people give a lot of importance to social responsibility and, when having to choose between a series of values by level of importance, they tend to prefer those related to solidarity, commitment or generosity, which is shocking. with that image based on the prejudice of lack of responsibility.
Activism is very present in young young people, so It is not uncommon to find them supporting different demonstrations, strikes and other social movements another demonstration that this, one of the main stereotypes of adolescents, does not fit many of them, who prefer to be active in many causes and therefore take sides and get involved.
2. Teenagers are lazy
Continuing with the main stereotypes of adolescents, we come to the point of laziness, a recurring characteristic when it comes to talking about prejudices about younger people. In recent times, in addition, it is common to talk about “NEETs”, that is, people, adolescents or adults but still very young, who neither study nor work.
The statistics, however, deny that this is the general trend of this segment of the population The data provided by the INE, specifically, in 2017, is that the young Spaniards who were in this situation were only 16.4%, which means that there were 83.6% who studied, worked, or performed both tasks at the same time.
Not only that, but among adolescents and young people who do not carry out any activity, an important distinction must be made, and that is to separate between those who do not do it because they do not want to and those who are inactive because they do not find an opportunity. labor, since we must not forget that youth unemployment in Spain, in 2021, is about to exceed 40%, a dramatic figure.
Therefore, before thinking that teenagers are lazy and do not spend their time on any worthwhile activity, we must keep in mind that statistics largely confirm the opposite.
3. Teenagers are uneducated
We also tend to fall into another quick thought for which young people come out badly, and that is that they lack culture or that they are not interested in cultural activities. Once again, the data states the opposite, so this stereotype would not serve as a correct generalization of the young population either.
The study carried out in 2014-15 on the cultural habits and practices of the Spanish indicates that It is precisely the youngest segment that has the most concern regarding this type of activities Among the cultural activities that are most practiced are concerts, visits to museums, watching movies at the cinema, and also attending libraries.
In other words, It is precisely adolescents and young people who participate the most in culture, in many of its forms Furthermore, the data indicate that, as age increases, this participation is gradually reduced, which further clashes with the essence of this stereotype, which would therefore not be valid in most cases.
4. Teenagers are emotionally unstable
The list of the main stereotypes of adolescents continues with a very common one, which is that of the emotional instability that is attributed to people around this age. The basis of this prejudice lies in the changes they experience at the hormonal level and that produces changes both physically and psychologically.
However, these changes do not necessarily have to lead to instability in the emotions of adolescents, or at least not more marked than that which people in other life stages may suffer. Children themselves, for example, experience abrupt changes in their emotions, which often translate into tantrums.
Perhaps this stereotype also has some support in the attributions made about adolescents, who are sometimes required to behave like adults when they have not yet reached that stage of development, but are on the way to it. For this reason, their emotional changes may be more visible and that could be favoring the construction of this prejudice.
It is important, therefore, to take these considerations into account in order to be aware that mood swings and other forms of instability occur in people of any age, to a greater or lesser extent. If we refer to this condition as psychopathology, that is, mental instability disorder, or borderline personality disorder, the prevalence in adolescents is lower than that of the adult population (0.7% – 2.7%, compared to 1.4% – 5.9%).
5. Teenagers are conflictive
We cannot forget the prejudice of conflict. There is a tendency to consider that these young people generate recurring conflicts with the people around them, and especially with their parents, as they are their reference adults and those in charge of establishing the rules and limits that they must comply with.
However, authors such as Hoffman, Paris and Hall have studied this and other stereotypes and have verified that it is actually a simplification that does not represent the majority of boys. On the contrary, these psychologists defend that Adolescents agree with their parents on the most important issues and that the divergences do not predominate over the points of consensus.
Therefore, we would be facing another of the main stereotypes of adolescents, and it is also one that is quite frequently used. Given this statement, we must not forget that young people, in general terms, want to maintain a good bond with their parents, even if they find themselves involved in more arguments than they had when they were children, since, as adolescents, they are developing their adult personality. and that also implies acquiring their own positions on various issues.
In any case, we must not forget that this list of stereotypes can be fulfilled on some occasions, but it is not appropriate to use them as a generalization, since we have already seen that the data allow us to reach different conclusions than those exposed by this group of prejudices.
