PRESSURE! Pushing down on me~!

     Teens definitely face a lot of pressure these days. Whether its form their parents or peers, a teen feels obligated to do whatever they need in order to please or fit in.

      For instance, a teen may feel lie they need to do drugs or whatever in order to seem  "cool" in front of friends. Peer pressure may be one of the most horrible things that can ruin a kid. One person does something and the next thing you know, a whole flock of kids are blindly following them  off the edge of that cliff. It doesn't matter if it conflicts with their morals, or would make their parents disappointed. Most teens would do anything just to please their friends and feel accepted fro that one moment. One moment and one bad decision that could impact their life forever.

       Parents also cause a lot of stress for their kids.  Personally, I'm more familiar with this. I feel that I have to get good grades... or else. Why exactly? Well, my mom would disown me if I didn't! I honestly wouldn't care so much about school at all if it weren't for my parents pushing me to do well. It's the thought of disappointing them that makes me afraid of getting bad grades, but more importantly what they'd do to me if I didn't.

Cheer up emo kid! You can now use the move "cut" outside of battle!!

So.. uh yeah! I'm working on my research project with Tajin and Maliya and our topic involves the effects of the media on teen depresion. With super beautiful people flashing thier "perfection" here and there it's hard not to compare yourself to them. The definition of "beauty" projected by the media presents perfect, skinny women or muscular men. From this society conforms and holds these images as the absolute definition of of attractiveness. As teenagers, it is extremely easy to conform to these norms and when a kid doesn't fit these standard they may be put down by either themselves or others. But, not all feel depressed when they don't fit in. The emo subculture acknowledges society's disdain for their behavior and instead embrace it. Even hipsters purposefully strive to de site from society.

However, teen depression still exists and is a growing problem. Girls who feel "ugly" and/or "fat" by soceity's standards hurt themselves and heave chunks from their stomachs after every meal. A Boy who is too "feminine" might even comit suicide to escape to constant torture from his peers. Who tells them that they don't fit in? Who encourages their oppressors? The media of course, through it's glamourous portrayal of what life isn't.