Why do people stereotype those of the emo subculture?

Question

Seriously, I want to know what's so bad being emo. I love the music and the culture...it's just how I am. Being scene is strictly for the appearance. Being emo is a lot deeper. It's the meaning...the substance that draws me to being emo. Common stereotypes I've witnessed: 1) We cut...some people do. But I know football players who cut as well. 2) We're whiny...again, some are, but not all. 3) We're bisexual...okay, this is a HUGE misconception. Yes, some emo individuals are bisexual, but not all. 4) We listen to whiny music about suicide/broken hearts...not all of my music is like that. My point is, the generalizations and stereotypes are worthless. Find something better to do with your lives.

Answer 1

Easy: Misinformation. It's kinda long, but I was wanting to cover as much as I could.

It would seem even you are misinformed on the matter ;)
Emo is only as deep as the music goes. Emo stands for "Emotive Hardcore", and is not related to many of the bands that are labeled "emo" by the mainstream today. If you want real emo, check up Rites of Spring, Fugazi, Get Up Kids, and early Jimmy Eat World (Pre-Bleed American). Jimmy Eat World changing style is the main reason there is a flawed view of what's emo in todays culture. AFI, FOB, Taking Back Sunday, etc. ARE NOT emo, but rather often alternative and such.
Emo originally had nothing to do with the today's "scene-kid", but from the misinformation being spread wide by the media.
Thank you for letting me take a chance to spread this fact ;)

Now the stereotyping on Scene-kids(for I refuse to call them emo). The name emo itself is degrading, many thinking it to mean "emotional"(but really meant Emotive Hardcore as explained earlier). This is associated with the cutting, whining, etc. as the extremely emotional kids did this. The bands too put out this image, with images such as blood(from an inferred slit wrist) dripping onto a love letter. I have no idea where the stereotypical view of bisexuals came into the emo world, but it does raise the question why a large number of bisexuals associate themselves with the scene-kid culture, and took a sudden rise with the gaining popularity of scene-kids.

Myspace is another place where the stereotypes arrived. With the new cool thing to do being the scene-kid, people tried to impress any one who would view their profile by putting up blogs of their latest cutting experience(true or not), the hair-dos, bands, and imagery. Many people see their first scene-kids on myspace, and the myspace population seems to be filled with their influence. As we all know, myspace has millions of users, and almost all of them are being flooded with these stereotypical images, enforcing the image laid on scene-kids in many.

With this being said, it would best be yourself. Associate with what cultures you wish, and do as YOU think is cool, not considered cool. If people didn't try to fit in with the scene-kid image, I can guarantee the stereotypes wouldn't be so strongly enforced.

Thank you for reading, and hopefully this taught you on the history, and reasons of the stereotype on the culture. If you have any questions, on this culture, or other ones such as goth, feel free to ask me. I spend much of my free time thinking about, and researching cultures and stereotypes as they interest me greatly.
G'day.

Answer 2

Why do people stereotype anyone?

As a hip-hop fan in the early '90s, I was stereotyped as a "wigger". Now I listen to country as well as hip-hop, and it's amazing how people who claim they aren't at all bigoted feel they get to talk about country fans! So it's not just emo, at all.

I only barely know what emo *is* (I'm 32), but I know those stereotypes can't be true. For one thing, I'm bi, and even most of the younger bi people I know don't listen to emo.

Hope somebody listens.

Answer 3

People are like that. Get over it, I did. I used to wear band tees and jeans. My hair wasn't even emo, and I was called "goth and emo" and everyone thought I cut myself when I didn't. This was in like 5th grade to 7th-ish? I was a really happy person, too. That's just how people are. I got over it, and they stopped bugging me. Now I'm basically the same way, but my hair is actually something that could be mistaken for "scene." No, I don't tease it, thank god, but it's layered, kind of side-parted, and I have some pink hair. People don't bug me now, though. I guess they grew up. You say people don't even call you it? So why does it matter to you so much? Yeah, they're stupid, but that's their problem, not yours. EDIT: If your name means what i think it means, then MANIC PANIC HAIR DYE SUCKS. Sorry lmao, had to get that out there. If you want a better color, try Special Effects. My dye has been here for 3 months, even though it's semi-permanent.

Answer 4

I've honestly always been under the impression that most of that was the *definition* of emo, with the exception of the bisexuality bit, and that emo was by definition a stereotype. What exactly does emo mean to you, then?
I don't fit into any kind of category (goth, prep, jock, etc.) myself, and I don't know that I'd claim one if I did.
As a side note- cutting is bad, no matter who does it. It's damaging to yourself and it distresses the people who love you. I'm not adding this because I think you cut, but because someone else reading this might.

Answer 5

Nothing is bad being emo. People think it's a trend, but I don't think so. I like the music too, but that doesn't consider I'm emo, because I'm most certaintly not in any way. And I agree with 007.

Answer 6

The reason why a lot of people hate the emo culture is basically because it revolves around depression, suicidal thoughts, boredom, and nerdy clothes. It's not a very attractive culture that's it's something people would want to get into...it's just something that people fall into. I think that emo's should think on the bright side on make something better of their life.

Answer 7

All stereotypes have some truth to them, which is how the perception gets started. Deal with the stereotypes that your chosen group has earned, and be glad that you are not dealing with some of the really damaging, hate-fueled stereotypes that some groups are forced to deal with all of the time.

My best friend happens to be black, and he is constantly harassed while shopping, pulled over for no reason, etc. because of the actions of others.

Answer 8

i have no idea why people stereotype emo. all emo people i know are very nice. i don't have anything against them. so if your emo and people say bad things about that don't be bothered. its nonsense to stereotype.

Answer 9

Don't be emo. Emo's like being sad. And sad isnt fun. Just be yourself. Youre just trying to be accepted by doing what others do. Emos are nothing BUT stereotypes. Dont be emo, be yourself

Answer 10

Everybody gets stereotyped, get used to it. Go cut yourself and tattoo some tears on your cheeks, emo douchebag. Ha ha, kidding.