Not long ago, I was in a shoe shop looking to buy a new pair of shoes.
Not skate shoes - running shoes.
As I sat down to try a pair, I asked the shop assistant, "Do you think these are a good type of shoe?"
As he turned and walked away, he replied with, "Not for the type of thing you people get up to."
I was shocked. I felt offended, and I was left wondering what had given this man a reason to believe I was some sort of delinquent?
Why had I become a part of this stereotypical group?
Was it because I was wearing clothes that may be worn by this teenage stereotype?
Or was it solely because I'm young?
Teenagers ... alright, we're a bit different. We like to express ourselves in different ways and sometimes our actions may be offensive to the rest of the community, but are we all inconsiderate, disrespectful and dysfunctional members of society?
I think not.
This is a stereotype that has been branded on us by older generations looking for a scapegoat to lay the problems of modern society upon.
So how is someone like myself defined as a stereotypical teenager?
Is it because of the clothing I wear?
We all like to be fashionable, don't we?
I've never been in trouble with the law. If I wear a cap, does that make me a future criminal?
Does going out at night with my friends make me dysfunctional?
No, everybody enjoys being sociable.
These judgemental people do not know me, my friends, or any of the teenagers, whom they are constantly looking down upon.
But why do these people judge?
It's because they only hear about the negative actions of a small minority of teenagers.
It's the negative stories that are focused on by the media, leaving the majority of teenagers to become a stereotyped group because of the actions of the minority.
As a member of a small rural community, I feel a lot more comfortable here than when I step out of my local comfort zone.
My actions speak louder than stereotypes. I've been able to destroy that delinquent label hovering above my head by being a normal member of the community, doing things such as working after school at the local garage, speaking at the local Anzac parade and getting involved in various community activities.
In fact, I get a smile from an elderly war veteran, not a scowl.
However, as I step out of this small community comfort zone, that delinquent label begins to re-appear.
The dirty looks come flooding in and people I have never met judge me the same way they judge thousands of other young people around the country every day.
Knowing this stereotype is restricting the teenage group from being seen as normal, how are we going to get rid of it?
Is there a way to destroy this label that seems to be the first thing the majority of society sees?
There isn't. It's a known fact being judgemental is part of human nature.
It's the way society has been shaped. We see a middle-aged man in a tailored suit and the first thing we think is, "Hmm ... He's doing well for himself."
But is he?
What goes on inside his head?
Is he happy?
Has he got a family?
He could be on his way home from a funeral for all we know. But we don't know, do we?
Our first impression of a person is based on what we see in our mind, not their life story.
Where have they been?
What have they achieved?
A person's life story: this is what should shape the way we are seen by society; we should not be judged on our appearances.
As I read the court news in the local paper, it's obvious to see how these stereotypes grow and grow.
Headlines such as "Teenage male charged for shoplifting", and "Sixteen-year-old drink driver found guilty of manslaughter" give our judgemental society something to feed on.
It gives them a right to be angry.
Yes, it gives everyone a right to be angry, but not a right to discriminate against an entire generation because of the actions of a small group of offenders.
I feel a bit sorry for teenagers of the future.
They're probably going to be branded with that delinquent label that has grown stronger and stronger over the past few years.
The way things are going, they'll have their motives questioned wherever they go.
Will the judgemental ways of people change?
I don't know, but next time I buy a pair of shoes, I'll be asking for help from a teenage shop assistant.
• By Scott Mathieson, Year 13, Tokomairiro High School
