Hooligan stereotype unfair to teens on Oct. 31
Editor’s Note: Teen Scene P.E.I. is a youth perspective on current issues as they relate to them. Student articles will be published biweekly online at www.theguardian.pe.ca, with one writer having his or her article featured in print from October to April. Teen Scene is a project of The Guardian and an expansion of its Newspapers in Education program.
Today’s question: Do you think teens are unfairly portrayed as Halloween hooligans? It’s time to have the pumpkins and bowls of candy ready once again.
This Halloween when you’re giving out treats, do you fear being the victim of tricks? Keeping a sharp eye out for stereotypical teens lurking around your neighbourhood?
Sometimes it seems we paint a pretty grim picture of young adults on Halloween. Our minds jump to dreadful images of our vehicles being egged and our pumpkins smashed. However, teens are most certainly not all like that. To the contrary, teens seem more interested in candy then vandalising your property.
e careful not to assume the worst in your neighbourhood youth. They contribute a lot to your community; for example, volunteering at the hospital and in upcoming Remembrance Day ceremonies. I will concede that there are some bad apples in the bunch, but do not let them define our whole generation.
So when you see a teen, don’t be mean. We do not all fit under one stereotype. As my English teacher says, "assume" makes an ass out of you and me. Adrien Buote is a writer for Teen Scene and a Grade 11 student at École François-Buote in Charlottetown. To join the forum and comment on this article and other Teen Scene submissions, go to www.theguardian.pe.ca.