Double Standards for Today's Teens

So tonight I went out with one of my bestest friends and on our way home we were discussing how everyone has double standards for teens today. Especially girls. We have to dress a certain way, we have to act a certain way, and yet everyone expects the exact opposite of us.

I'm the type of girl who likes to wear her hair back and not worry about makeup. But in today's society, this isn't "normal." Girls always wear makeup and always have their hair absolutely perfect. And who is it for? Everybody else. What does everybody else think of those girls? What a fake. There's no denying it. If you don't conform visually, people don't think you are normal. But if you do, you are suddenly a fake slut.

The way we are told to act is to not have sex, not take drugs, and don't date around. But if the average teen girl tells someone "I've never had sex" she is met with eye rolls from people of all ages. My friend has a prescription for an acne treatment, but because one of the side effects is major birth defects she is being told to take birth control. When she told her doctor that she wasn't sexually active the doctor just rolled their eyes at her. And as her friend, I would know if she was sexually active. And trust me, she isn't.
We, as teens, are told not to take drugs because of the harmful effects, yada, yada, yada. But of course a lot of teens do. So unfortunately for those of us who don't, adults never believe us when we tell them we have never taken any type of drug, or had any alcohol. Again, we get the eye roll.
We all know girls at school who date around are known as sluts and whores. And there are a lot of us that don't date in high school simply because of the lack of nice guys. But tell another teen that and they instantly think we're lying. Date ONE guy and you are all of a sudden a slut. So which is it? Date or don't date. Personally, I'm not going to just date any guy. I have standards.

So while we are being told to be one thing, we are expected to be the exact opposite. Yes a lot of teens act up, but there are still those of us who don't. And because of the reckless image created by what people see on tv and in the news, teens who do what they are told are always doubted.

So listen up all of you, I don't care if you are a parent, grandparent, doctor, teen, whatever. Not ALL teens are the same. Give us the same benefit of a doubt that you give a five year old. Until you find out who we really are, who are you to judge?

And a special note for teens out there who are confused by all of the conflicting messages:
BE YOURSELF. Love who you are and surround yourself with people who love you for who you are. Don't let double standards get in your way.

 

I do not claim rights to this video. I just find it inspiring.