Being Different
Geek, burnout, emo. Do these words ring a bell? Maybe you have used them to label some of your classmates, or you have been labelled with one yourself. Maybe you have even chosen to be emo, a punk or a nerd, and feel proud of it.
Keywords
- courage (n.)
- identity (n.)
- stand out (v.)
- bullying (n.)
- bystander (n.)
- minority (n.)
Between Two Seats
Finding your own identity and a place to belong is part of being a teenager. It is probably the toughest part by far. On the one hand, you long to belong in a group of like-minded people, but on the other hand, you wish to stand out and be recognised as the person you really are.
It takes a great deal of courage to stand out. However, as a teenager, you are at a very sensitive stage in your life. This might cause you to carefully consider whether you dare to choose a new style of dress or hairdo, try out a new type of sport, or listen to another kind of music than your friends.
Finding Your Unique Identity
As a teenager, it is important to experiment with your identity in order to find out who you really are. The best thing you can do for yourself and your friends is to create an atmosphere where experimenting is accepted. A place where no one has to worry about being excluded from the group because of individual preferences.
Nevertheless, most classrooms are not that accepting towards people who stand out. Many students fall victim to bullying while in school. Often, people are bullied due to their appearance or their social status, but there can be other reasons too. Sadly, many bystanders usually watch and do nothing because they worry about putting themselves outside the group too.
Did you know
"The person who follows the crowd will usually go no further than the crowd. The person who walks alone is likely to find himself in places no one has ever seen before."
- Albert Einstein
Fear of the Unknown
There are many ways of being different; some are easier to hide than others. Some physical differences are a matter of personal choice, others are congenital. Have you ever caught yourself staring at the boy in a wheelchair, or the girl with a limp? They belong to minority groups. Imagine having to deal with people gazing every day. This is a classic example of our fear of anything that is not mainstream.
According to English studies, the primary reason for being bullied at school is looks. In 2013, more than 50 percent of students had been abused verbally, physically or online because of their clothing, weight, height, or hair color. Research shows that redheads are more likely to be bullied compared to others. According to the studies, some teenagers miss months of education to avoid their tormentor.