I am not a yob.

[GingerBlokey 30]

From my blog

I am not a chav or an emo or a hoody or a 'youth' or a yob or a hooligan or a brat or a loud-mouth or a druggie or a degenerate or a shoplifter or an attacker or a goth or a trouble-maker.

I have respect for people. Not in a street way either. I respect my mum and my tutors at college and the police and even traffic wardens (but not that much). I even respect authority sometimes (shock-fecking-horror).

I don't smash up bus stops, steal curly-wurlies, stab kids, grafitti, shout abuse at adults, cut myself, drive dangerously, play music on my mobile phone or abuse the elderly.

I have the best friends in the world and none of them are a stereotypical teenager. Infact very few people at my college are.

Im not going to deny that they exist. Because they do. Some teenagers are idiots, they do stab people and carry guns and belong to 'gangs' but that doesn't mean we all are.

Don't brand me a 'youth'. Don't try and hug me for political reasons. Don't offer me incentives to be better behaved. Don't patronise me about sexual health. Don't assume Im going to go out to get drunk. Don't you dare follow me around a shop because Im going to steal something.

Adults; for fecks sake. Im not a yob.

Im just 16.quote>

What do you think?

Why are all teenagers treated like scum?

What are your experiences?

Join my Facebook group if you'd like.

[LarksTonguesInAspic 28]

Good to see someone with pride in not being a troublemaker. Keep on that road, being a 'good' kid will pay off later, when you really want it to.

[saltandsauce 0]

a dying breed of teeneager

unfortunatley i am still a teenager but i can say (at least where i am from) a lot of teenagers DO go out stealing curly wurlies, batter little kids, mug people,get drunk at the weekend,take drugs etc. however i can utilise this somewhat by making sure the ADULT numpties (peadophiles, nutters, drunks, homeless etc.) don't lay a finger on me by merely dressing like those idios i do so for two reasons

1 the above

2, i cannot find clothes that fit and aren't for those freaks who mug people/cut themselves

you have to put up with this crap until you are 28 roughly so don't hold your breath

i have always been "not followed" by a plainclothes security guard and a regular security guard wheneer i go into sainsbury's i also get stopped once in a blue moon whenever a police officer appears and they moan about "chibbing" and nicking stuff to me so i tell them politley please go away don't  treat me like some unthinking drooling dafty and leave me to fail miserably at my exams and live in the schemes for the rest of my life

[gabry85 2]

This is the hardest phase of life as all we know, I respect you for these nice words. I wish you well, be strong in your mind and don't give up your way. You already spent a better life than many adults did in many years.

Thanks for sharing, you made my day!

[nazaguy 0]

Im something weird at my school. I've had about 2 girlfriends (im in year 11, and the only guy who's had less is my friend), i don't drink, smoke , have sex, fight for fun, or ask the kid with the longish hair whens the last time hes had a haircut. Maybe cos thats me but, at least im not emo.

[GingerBlokey 30]

Originally posted by: nazaguy Im something weird at my school. I've had about 2 girlfriends (im in year 11, and the only guy who's had less is my friend), i don't drink, smoke , have sex, fight for fun, or ask the kid with the longish hair whens the last time hes had a haircut. Maybe cos thats me but, at least im not emo.quote>

I remember the situation. Im in Year 12 now and Ive had 2 boyfriends and I dont smoke or fight. Im not going to make out Im perfect though, sex isn't out of the question and I do drink at the weekend although I dont go out to 'get drunk'.

[Easy Bakes 253]

Whats a Yob?

[Duke87 1,070]

Eh, the only stereotype I've ever really embodied to a significant degree is that of a nerd. I was (and still am) always the one that specifically refused to hop on bandwagons. I don't really have any stories of being labeled as some sort of stereotype, but then again, I wasn't out of the house much - and when I was, I was by myself. People don't label you if they don't see you, and they don't tend to label people who aren't in a group, either. So I was "safe" due to my lack of associating with people.

 

Still, I'm unusual in that I really don't have any desire to "fit in". If I do my own thing and everyone hates me for it to the point where I have no friends, so be it. Doesn't bother me. I'm not changing who I am just to make other people happy.

Trouble is, the prospect of not having any friends horrifies a lot of people. They find themselves needing to bend just to fit in because they need to be liked. They look at me and think I must have a horrible pathetic existence. And, well, I don't. The flaw in their thinking is assuming that those things which are important to them and to most everyone else are also important to me.

What's really interesting is that there's a guy I know who claims he's actually jealous of me and how I don't have any need to fit in and feel free to do exactly as I please, whereas he's leading more the typical life and doesn't necessarily want to but feels he has to. Seemed really backwards for him to be telling me that, but you know what they say. The grass is always greener.....

[granto93 4]

i completely agree with everything you said. im not a bad person, i dont get in trouble (much) but i always get labelled as basically anything on the spectrum. nerd, hypocrite, nuisence, trouble maker, juvenile etc etc. anything offensive and completely demeaning to young people or me personally has been said. At the end of the day I just want to be a normal person like everyone else, with my own views, opinions and style.

and about the people following us through the store. that used to happen to me and my friends every time we walked into the local dollar store. we once told them off and walked out without buying anything. we also talked to a few people and made a few calls...well, my friends mom did anyway and now they cant do it anymore. anyways, i think that if they are that concerned they should invest in some kind of security system or cameras.

[kawan 6]

Originally posted by: Easy Bakes Whats a Yob?quote>

 

A yob is a british word, associated with "chav". They are the UK's problem kids - they make trouble for no reason, think they are tough and everyone hates them.

I know how you feel GingerBlokey - i'm one of those people who feel the same way. I manage to cope with these "troubles". I do drink but not as much as other students.

I have left school and the troublesome youths are dying out here, as more people are settling down, having fun and studying. It's great! But there are still a few left (usually people I don't like). I know one person who gets intoxicated nearly every night, and comes in every morning without the foggiest of what lessons she has. Shame on her.

[xmike1991 2]

i know when im not in stevenage and people ask where im from and i tell them from stevenage they start to look at me funny sometimes. only happened a couple of times but still

[ilikehotdogsalot 311]

I hate when I'm followed when I walk into a store, next time that happens I'm going to call the person out.

[BurroDiablo 222]

I'm 20 and still get treated like scum, although i'm pretty much the polar opposite of a chav. I went to a Shop at 2am with some friends after a night out and the guy at the door told us to go in ONE at a time. Was it an age thing? Yes, it was... an 'older' bunch of people (they could have acctually just been a few years older than me) walk straight in the shop and the guy at the door didn't think twice about letting them all go in at the same time. The people I was with didn't look or act intimiating in any way... its simply because they were young that they got asked to stand in the freezing rain while one of us had to run around and grab all the stuff. Its yobs that spoil it for all of us... I don't know why the Gov hasn't went on a crusade against them...

[patriots_1228 51]

o yea, when i was 12, yes, 12, they made me and my friends do the "one at a time" thing.

12.

In the middle of suburban massachusetts.

sad, eh?

[purpledaddy 6]

I don't label anyone with those terms because I never heard of them before in my life!   They kinda sound like something out of Dr. Suess!

(My empty navy suit tends to scare people in restaurants though.)

[sakarr 1]

i agree. im totally sick of all the stereotypeing. just because i look emo im assumed that im depressed and cutting myself. well id like it to be known that im happy and have NEVER even considered cutting myself. and i love to tell that to people and see their shocked responses. i just think the emo look is hot, thats why i like to dress in that manner. emo does not nessicarily mean youre depreseed and hateing yourself.

[Streetwise 3]

Just remember one thing:

How people treat you, and what they say about you, says more about them than it does about you.

[Meg 368]

Contrary to the stereotypes, not all teenagers are delinquents.   I had this discussion recently with my 16 year old nephew.  I told him I had to give him credit; when he was 9 years old, a cousin was carrying on about how all teenagers are bleepity-bleeps.   He told her he wasn't going to be like that when he was a teenager.  and he isn't.  He is a great guy. 

He didn't recall the incident with my cousin but offered his view on why some teenagers do act up.  According to him, it's because their parents impose stupid rules with no explanation as to why.

This is something he hasn't had to deal with because my sister (aka his mother) hated it when our parents did that and vowed to herself that she would always discuss things with her kids, hear their point of view and never use the "because I said so" routine.  My nephew knows that his mother will hear him out even though might not always get his way.   It came as a bit of surprise to him that not all kids have this and doesn't blame them for rebelling.

[sixers33 3]

I am very much like GingerBlokey.. There are alot of teenagers that won't act like an idiot, but some do..

Oh and...

Adults; for fecks sake. I'm not a yob.

I'm just 16.

That's better.

[confused04 14]

Unfortunately, I can't quite say that the reputations of teenagers are not unwarranted. It is afterall true that teenagers commit the vast majority of petty crimes such as vandalism. Rebellious youth isn't exactly a lie either. Look at it from an elders perspective. Youth tend to be less,... socially astute, and many think they are prepared to be accepted as adults despite their rather obnoxious demeanor. But look around at your own schools and tell me that there is a significant presence if idiot no-gooders. Its unfortunate that those of us who are responsible are treated the same as those who aren't. I don't blame society for treating us that way because... well, they have to be cautious. Its society's goal to mold us into productive harmonious citizens so they have to discourage such rampant behavior and unfortunately still, it takes some youth a bit longer to learn how to behave. Youths also tend to be quite self-centered (and even if you don't think you are, you probably are more than you think), so they are unaware of the consequences of their actions. Gentle fun is sometimes not so innocent. Tomfoolery in a store might be a hassle for janitors for example. The general public has a right to be wary of teenagers. No matter what your personal actions are like, there are many idiotic youth out there and they have to protect property (and in far too many instances, safety). I've never had a problem with people treating me different as youth and even if they did think I was a chav/thug/yob or whatever, I know it doesn't describe me so I just shrug it off. No big deal. From my own experience, if you behave properly, you will be treated accordingly. I don't exactly see what the fuss is about. Its just one of those "life isn't fair" things. Again... something that teenagers tend to complain about the most.

[Deathtoall 28]

I am 16

I know that lot's of the "out of control" youths in this area are only trying to find some fun things to do. The area lacks facilities for young people to congregate around. A feeling of "opression" that many have is because of the police doing their job and upholding the law. If we had means of creating things for young people maybe the problems wouldn't be as severe. A vicous circle as appeared as young people feel opression because they are trying to have fun that is shut down and resort to alcohol/drugs then get aressted and so on. Faclilties won't solve all problems, just help.

But the labelling of all youths as "delinquents" is wrong. I don't labell all adults as "criminals" or "out of control" just because they went drink driving one time. I am not the type to go out and just to get hammered. I don't see the point. There is more to do. I'm not against alcohol, just going out only to get drunk which is a very popular past time here.

I am not against what ever the others choose to do.

I am not violent, i am not on drugs or alcohol. Why should i be part of the blame? I am the complete opposite of most youths in the area. It so obvious the difference, i could stand in the middle of the street screaming how different but i won't change most people's opinions. Unfortunately we live in a stereotype world and this means stereotypes will always be applied to a group. 

But all i ask for his decency, respect and trust.

[Boggy1 45]

It seems that Simtropolis is a haven for unstereotypical teenagers

I definately wouldn't consider myself a chav, yob, deliquant, or anything else. I try to be as nice and polite to as many people as I possibly can, and I am alwaysM rewarded with a smile or a thankyou or a polite act in return. I've never had any trouble with anyone following me about or not trusting me, or whatever. Maybe it's just the area I am in.

[rugar12 0]

Usually it is easier for us when we can assign things into groups to create the ability of automatic thinking (schemata). This usually helps in the formation of stereotypes. What people have to remember is that everyone is an individual, no matter how well they seem to fit into a particular schema. We are all complicated; influenced by our environments, friends, experiences, etc...This applies to everyone, even those labeled troublemakers, gangstas, hoodlums, etc...

[hym 358]

Originally posted by: SkiGeek Contrary to the stereotypes, not all teenagers are delinquents.   I had this discussion recently with my 16 year old nephew.  I told him I had to give him credit; when he was 9 years old, a cousin was carrying on about how all teenagers are bleepity-bleeps.   He told her he wasn't going to be like that when he was a teenager.  and he isn't.  He is a great guy. 

He didn't recall the incident with my cousin but offered his view on why some teenagers do act up.  According to him, it's because their parents impose stupid rules with no explanation as to why.

This is something he hasn't had to deal with because my sister (aka his mother) hated it when our parents did that and vowed to herself that she would always discuss things with her kids, hear their point of view and never use the "because I said so" routine.  My nephew knows that his mother will hear him out even though might not always get his way.   It came as a bit of surprise to him that not all kids have this and doesn't blame them for rebelling.quote>

Not to make personal attacks, but I honestly believe that a fair chunk of the problem is the fault of the "adults."  To paraphrase someone from the Baby Boomer generation who was talking about this:  "The Baby Boomers grew up, rebelled against their parents, became parents, freaked out, and backpedaled, saying they wouldn't allow their children to do the same things they did as teenagers.  This was largely backed by the "I said so" authority (which is completely devoid of reasoned thought) because the parents didn't want to have to admit that they had made mistakes while growing up.  This backed the parents into a corner, and teenagers aren't so stupid that they can't tell when you're being a lying hypocrite.  (In fact, in several studies done during the late 90's and early 2000's, teenagers listed blatant hypocrisy as being their chief complaint with the Baby Boomer generation.)  The parents, because they didn't pay attention to the fact that the generation their children came from was different from their own generation, successfully managed to alienate themselves from their children."

I know that is tarring a lot of parents and adults, but to a certain extent, it is true.  I mean no offense to anyone, but I felt it should be shared.

[purpledaddy 6]

^Yep, I'm proud to set a bad example by never had grown up myself!

[Easy Bakes 253]

Originally posted by: hym

Not to make personal attacks, but I honestly believe that a fair chunk of the problem is the fault of the "adults."  To paraphrase someone from the Baby Boomer generation who was talking about this:  "The Baby Boomers grew up, rebelled against their parents, became parents, freaked out, and backpedaled, saying they wouldn't allow their children to do the same things they did as teenagers.  This was largely backed by the "I said so" authority (which is completely devoid of reasoned thought) because the parents didn't want to have to admit that they had made mistakes while growing up.  This backed the parents into a corner, and teenagers aren't so stupid that they can't tell when you're being a lying hypocrite.  (In fact, in several studies done during the late 90's and early 2000's, teenagers listed blatant hypocrisy as being their chief complaint with the Baby Boomer generation.)  The parents, because they didn't pay attention to the fact that the generation their children came from was different from their own generation, successfully managed to alienate themselves from their children."

I know that is tarring a lot of parents and adults, but to a certain extent, it is true.  I mean no offense to anyone, but I felt it should be shared.quote>

 

But now were going in the opposite direction.

Now every parent trys hard to be thier kids "friend" .

im not sure thats an imporvement. Sometimes parents DO know better then thier kids.

its called experience.

Theres an analogy a local station uses when something stupid is done by a young person.

"theres another one staring in his own movie"

i guess that could apply to an adult as well.

[DanWalker8 3]

Hey Folks, What's a yob?

[krbe 193]

Originally posted by: DanWalker8 Hey Folks, What's a yob?quote>

If you had read  little more than the title, you would have known.

[Jasoncw 11,949]

Originally posted by: rugar12 Usually it is easier for us when we can assign things into groups to create the ability of automatic thinking (schemata). This usually helps in the formation of stereotypes. What people have to remember is that everyone is an individual, no matter how well they seem to fit into a particular schema. We are all complicated; influenced by our environments, friends, experiences, etc...This applies to everyone, even those labeled troublemakers, gangstas, hoodlums, etc...quote>

I agree.  It seems like there is a lot of classism in this thread.  People are upset that they are being stereotyped, but don't mind stereotyping the troublemakers.

And also, next time you and your friends are making fun of the sport stars/cool kids/normal kids with your friends, remember that you are making fun of them, just what you don't want them doing to you.  If you get to know people across more of the social spectrum, you'll find that there are a lot of really nice cool kids, and you'll find that there are a lot of really mean un-cool kids.

[saltandsauce 0]

a yob is a soft southern (britiash) name for a chav it is boy backwards in the same way a senga is agnes backwards (scottish name for female neds) just to clear up the countless whats a yob?

and ned stands for non educated dilinquent but there is another name which is better which is the schemie- one who lives on a housing scheme (housing projects)