Stereotyping Teenagers.

[Loukas]

OK! I am p***** off big time. This forum is full of Teenagers and Adults so i thought i would make a post about it!

Today me and a group of my mates were walking down the street and in the park, we were followed around the park by 2 police men on bikes. We sat down on a bench and they stopped and said to us, "Hello boys and girls, how are you?" We were very confused and we just said "Fine Thanks" They looked at each other and then looked at one of the boys who looked very scared, they told him to stand up and asked for his name! VERY CONFUSED at this point, he said his name and they asked if we live around here, we answered really politely. They asked if we had any drugs on us!! We all answered no, which as true, no drugs what so ever. They searched us and said "Sorry normally groups of teenagers have drugs on them!"

I WAS LIKE WTF!!! :shocked:

Very Stereotypical!!!

Last time i went to the cinema we were told to be careful and not to cause trouble in the screen, which i thought was reasonable! We walked off and took it into consideration! We walked in and took our seats, 5 minutes into the film the guy asks us to show him our tickets. We did and it was cool. Then 30 Minutes into the film another guy comes in and says the same thing, there was another group of teenagers in there and they said NOTHING to them!


So who's fault is it?!
What do you think of my situations?
Have you been in something like that before?
Express your views

Thank you DT. XX

[AlexBigBrother]

get over it

[Loukas]

Originally posted by AlexBigBrother
get over it

LOL!!!

Chears Mate. :thumbs:

[PrimaryObjective]

It's always been that way. I'm not a teenager anymore, but it was like that when I was. As long as you aren't doing anything wrong, then don't let it bother you.

[*mazedsalv**]

I agree. I walk into a shop with some friends in my school uniform. The security guards and shop workers look at us like we have just attacked someone. I always get evil looks by some people. Its obvious that teens arent being painted in a nice way by older people.

My friend had a bag on him, and something in there was making a rattling noise like a noise of a bottle. The police thought it was alcohol, told him to open the bag so he did. And guess what was in his bag??..... an aftershave bottle. The police apologised and then walked off!!!

[Tom]

Stereotyping doesn't just apply to teenagers. Its present in class, different ages, race, gender etc.

I think all stereotyping is bad. I try to get to know a person, not the category they fall in to. It could mean they fit the picture for being on Jeremy Kyle and most people would steer clear of them. I'd probably talk to them given the chance and if they were nice people I would also like them. I don't hold a cloud of prejudice over people and I don't think anyone else should. People are their own people, not a representation of various different stereotypes.

[PrimaryObjective]

Originally posted by Tom
Stereotyping doesn't just apply to teenagers. Its present in class, different ages, race, gender etc.

I think all stereotyping is bad. I try to get to know a person, not the category they fall in to. It could mean they fit the picture for being on Jeremy Kyle and most people would steer clear of them. I'd probably talk to them given the chance and if they were nice people I would also like them. I don't hold a cloud of prejudice over people and I don't think anyone else should. People are their own people, not a representation of various different stereotypes.
Well said.

[bigbr0ther]

That is just infuriating! In reference to the first story, you need to take action. You have been discriminated against and that is wrong. If you know the names of the officers who bothered you, report them. They should not get away with this. Please don't let these disgusting ageists get away with this!

[Rory]

Yikes, things aren't that serious over here in the states.

I think it's for everyone's own safety, cracking down on troublemakers; however, I do find it insulting that even with your polite manners they still are unconvinced that you are a good kid and not some little hoodlum.

[Nurse57]

Bloody teenagers. Always moaning :wink:

[xDramatick]

Originally posted by bigbr0ther
That is just infuriating! In reference to the first story, you need to take action. You have been discriminated against and that is wrong. If you know the names of the officers who bothered you, report them. They should not get away with this. Please don't let these disgusting ageists get away with this!

I'm sure you can't.
Police are allowed to stop&search you.

The thames valley police site even says:
"If you are stopped or searched it doesn’t mean you have done something wrong. The police do understand that being stopped can be embarrassing or frustrating if you are in a hurry. Please try to remain calm and co-operate with the officer as this will help to reduce the time it takes. The officer will seek your co-operation, but in some circumstances, force may be used to search if absolutely necessary."

Anyway.
I hate being stereotyped like that.
It does my head in.
It doesn't really happen to me or my mates though.
My dad/uncle do use the "you wouldn't know, you're only a teenager" line though.

[bigbr0ther]

Originally posted by Darenn
Originally posted by bigbr0ther
That is just infuriating! In reference to the first story, you need to take action. You have been discriminated against and that is wrong. If you know the names of the officers who bothered you, report them. They should not get away with this. Please don't let these disgusting ageists get away with this!

I'm sure you can't.
Police are allowed to stop&search you.

The thames valley police site even says:
"If you are stopped or searched it doesn’t mean you have done something wrong. The police do understand that being stopped can be embarrassing or frustrating if you are in a hurry. Please try to remain calm and co-operate with the officer as this will help to reduce the time it takes. The officer will seek your co-operation, but in some circumstances, force may be used to search if absolutely necessary."

Anyway.
I hate being stereotyped like that.
It does my head in.
It doesn't really happen to me or my mates though.
My dad/uncle do use the "you wouldn't know, you're only a teenager" line though.

Yes, your dad and uncle are allowed to discriminate against anyone for any reason (except for employment, etc) but for a police officer to discriminate is illegal. To show you what I'm talking about, I've created a little story for you.

Okay, well I'm black and today me and a group of my mates were walking down the street and in the park, we were followed around the park by 2 police men on bikes. We sat down on a bench and they stopped and said to us, "Hello blacks, how are you?" We were very confused and we just said "Fine Thanks" They looked at each other and then looked at one of the boys who looked very scared, they told him to stand up and asked for his name! VERY CONFUSED at this point, he said his name and they asked if we live around here, we answered really politely. They asked if we had any drugs on us!! We all answered no, which as true, no drugs what so ever. They searched us and said "Sorry normally groups of ******* have drugs on them!"

Using this you should be able to see why what happened to doubletrouble is clearly discrimination and why he should take action to stop it from happening to others. You make it sound like he was just stopped as per standard procedure, which clearly is not the case.

[xDramatick]

I didn't see the "Hello Blacks" bit but I still very much doubt that anything would be done. Police don't even do their jobs properly so the chances of anything getting done for DT is slim.

&What's my uncle/dad got to do with anything?
That was a completely different point?

[MrGaryy]

I don't really get mich of that but thats probably due to the fact that the area I live in is a bit posh so there aren't many naughty teens. I personally think there are just as many but they just are better at not getting caught!

The most annoyong thing is when people in shops serves adult before you even if you've been waiting longer! That royally pisses me off!

[Matt10k]

I don't remember getting stereotyped particularly as a teenager. I think the worst thing was how some older people can patronise you- but then that happens even when you're out of your teens and it's just as annoying!

[Fom]

I just hate being classed as Naiive because im a teenager, or if i wear a hood that im going to kill everyone i see. It would be nice to be taken seriously and not just because im a teenager.
But then again if I want to be taken seriously, I just dont shave haha, makes me look 20.

[amydropdead_x]

I hate that, I don't look at all like a hooligan lolol, I don't wear a hood or anything.
However when |I'm with a few mates, you still get adults crossing the road to avoid you at night, or police staring at you. Its not fair, just because were teenagers and out late, doesn't mean we're going to rob or attack anyone, not all of us carry weapons
In fact, the majority of teenagers are decent. I for one, don't know anyone who has ever carried a weapon.

[amydropdead_x]

Originally posted by CanITouchThem?
Depends if you're a chav. If you are then that's your problem. Lose the cheap sports clothes, caps and plastic bling then you should be good to go.
aha I agree with that
However, I get looked at funny and avoided cos of my piercings :|

[Princess]

I think if someone isn't doing anything wrong,they should be left alone. People just presume we're up to no good all the time and its really unfair.

[istherelifeon-mars]

Originally posted by amydropdead_x
aha I agree with that
However, I get looked at funny and avoided cos of my piercings :|
:laugh: Same.

But like what are you wearing DoubleTrouble? If it's a tracksuit I think we can all guess what you're being sterotyped as :whistle:

I myself don't even get stopped or searched by police/community support officers though once I was having a rollie and it obviously wasn't marajuana but the police still told me to stub it out and open it up, I was thinking "Oh for f...." (You know the rest :wink:)

[Fom]

Originally posted by CanITouchThem?
Depends if you're a chav. If you are then that's your problem. Lose the cheap sports clothes, caps and plastic bling then you should be good to go.

I suppose the could confuse me with a chav, I wear skater hoodies alot of the time, and if its cold or raining i stick the hood up. Keeps my neck warm ;). But they give you such dirty looks as if I should be getting wet just to make them feel safer... psh.

[Emzy-!!]

I hate people stereotyping teenagers. I'm a teenager and everytime me and some other teens go into a shop the security guard would follow us around the whole shop, not seeing the adults stealing!!

LEAVE US ALONE!!!

[bigbr0ther]

Originally posted by Gazbo
The most annoyong thing is when people in shops serves adult before you even if you've been waiting longer! That royally p****s me off!

That happened to me once at a bookstore when I was 12, long long ago. I said, "Excuse me, I was in line before him." I got a lot of dirty looks and everyone thought I was somehow rude for standing up for myself, but I did get checked out first and I'm glad I didn't just "let it slide" like many others would have (with the old ageist doctrine of being seen but not heard). I felt badly for awhile after that because I knew the people there had a bad opinion of me, but looking back I'm very happy with how I acted.

Originally posted by Emzy-!!
I hate people stereotyping teenagers. I'm a teenager and everytime me and some other teens go into a shop the security guard would follow us around the whole shop, not seeing the adults stealing!!

LEAVE US ALONE!!!

No kidding. One time I was in an art museum and one security guard actually followed me from room to room as I looked at the paintings. I felt very self-conscious as I don't really like people looking at me.

[Shaun]

Always get that at the cinema but then again...to be fair...we were usually the ones making the noise / throwing popcorn at each other lmao. So I suppose it's fair enough really.

It's more annoying when you're 18 and you still have security guards / bouncers etc who refuse to believe you are, even if you show them your ID. Hasn't happened to me but did to a friend...

[DamonJ]

I agree that it is wrong to be stereotyped, and I also agree that the manner police use sometimes is atrocious. However, just think how many situations they have been correct in when they have stereotypically searched and found a weapon or alcohol, it saves a knife being in safe hands that in someone's stomach. I agree that the stereotype of teenagers is wrong, but put yourselves in the shoes of the Police officers, they want to keep the community safe, so spontaneously searching someone may save a person's life in the long run.

[Fom]

Originally posted by DamonJ
I agree that it is wrong to be stereotyped, and I also agree that the manner police use sometimes is atrocious. However, just think how many situations they have been correct in when they have stereotypically searched and found a weapon or alcohol, it saves a knife being in safe hands that in someone's stomach. I agree that the stereotype of teenagers is wrong, but put yourselves in the shoes of the Police officers, they want to keep the community safe, so spontaneously searching someone may save a person's life in the long run.

Very good point. I agree with that 100%

[catwoman54]

Some policemen/ women are as bad as thug's hiding behind there uniform's.I'm 53 year's old and work in a shop when it's closing time i have to carry 2 heavy sign's into the shop it's only ever been teenagers who have helped me.

[bananarama]

Originally posted by catwoman54
Some policemen/ women are as bad as thug's hiding behind there uniform's.I'm 53 year's old and work in a shop when it's closing time i have to carry 2 heavy sign's into the shop it's only ever been teenagers who have helped me.


Indeed. It's not so much the stop and search but the manner and attitude it is done with.....

As far as stereotyping is concerned. If that happens blame the unruly teenagers for giving all teenagers a bad name....

Sadly be it good cop or bad cop these days there are so many potentially dangerouse youngsters that stop and search is needed in order to save lives.

I can understand the frustration of law abiding teenagers when stopped by police who are intimidating instead of just doing a friendly security check..

[andyman]

National service!!!