“Emo” Culture: The Self-Destructive Teen essay sample

The subculture of “emo” youth appeared in the 1990s and has preserved its popularity by now. Emo people are usually differentiated from other subcultures by the extreme liking of melancholic depressive music, black attire, a long slanted fringe covering half of the face, social phobia, and suicidal inclinations. Emo people are emotionally insecure teenagers always surrounded with the aura of death and despair.

Emo people originate from the subgenre of punk called Emotive Hardcore. Alternative music was a cradle for many subcultures; the typical distinction of emo is that they are quiet and introverted (unlike punks) even if they appreciate things which may scare the others (just like Goths do). Emo are active on social networks – this is the only place where they can express their vulnerability and sensitive individuality. They are frequently romanticizing suicide and not only on social networks. In numerous cases, depressed emo are found by their parents in attempts to commit a suicide.

Emo behavior originates from being repressed, probably, bullied by the other teens. Bullying may get different responses according to the type of personality. Some kids are likely to become aggressive, while the others will dramatize their failure to conform with peers. Besides, teenagers usually strive to underline their belonging to one of the subcultures – introverted sensitive kids are very likely to become emo.

Emo culture is inherent to a certain age group. Teenagers at the age of 12 to 18 are the typical adherents of emo communities. This is the age of being at odds with one’s own family and the age of searching for a true and eternal love. Psychologists admit that emo people may be very self-destructive remaining harmless to the others.