Can you explain emo to me?

Question

I am just a Mom, from an upper middle class suburb. I have a 14 year old who want to "go emo" and I am not sure what she means. She cut her hair off (waist to pretty short), and wants a new wardrobe from Hot Topic.

I am not sure what is up.

This girl is an A student, very popular, very happy. No drugs, no bad behaviour, no depression problems.

I ask for an explaination and hear "its the cool thing", and "you don't understand". She is right about the second part. The clothing she wants is downright ugly.

I read here that is a music genre, but she isn't into music of any kind. When she listens she seems to like classic rock.

Answer 1

I see you've heard from other concerned parents and people who say "Oh no, she's gonna start cutting her wrists!" Its crap. Trust me. Yes, there are people who do those things, but its not BECAUSE they dress emo. Emo and self mutilation don't go hand in hand.

The definition you heard about 'emo' meaning emotionally driven hardcore punk is correct, but you said your daughter doesnt really like that kind of music. That means that the musical genre definition doesnt really matter. For her its nothing more than a fashion trend.

If your daughter is going from preppy to emo its because emo is the new popular way to dress. Its nothing to call the shrink about.

If you've never known your daughter to be depressed or emotionally unbalanced why would it change with a haircut and some dark clothes? Think about it as just another fad like preppy or skater.

Dont worry, dear. I was in highschool when the fad began. Most of the people who dress that way are just doing it because they want to do what other people think is cool.

Let her be a kid, and express herself the way she wants as long as its not distructive. Im sure your mom hated the way you dressed when you were young too.

Answer 2

Emo is a word that is used for people that cry all the time, are unhappy, cut themselves, wear dark clothes, mourn and are unhappy all the time, listen to dark music and generally feel like the world is coming to an end and we all are going to suffer.

But emo is in the correct term actually a punk rock derivative, it's just a different style of music. Often enough, this isn't associated with it, but the first is...

Keep your eyes on your teen, a friend of mine who is a mother of 3 girls has one that turned goth, but quit a couple of months later. She told me it was the worst she had ever seen happening to her girl...

Answer 3

It either means she's getting depressed, she is depressed or she's trying to find a diffrent image than being sene as the A student. She could also be extremely stressed out to does she have anxiety problems?. I was like that but grew out of it at the time I had a ton of emotional , anxiety and depression problems. I still do to this day 5 years latter but I am on meds now maybe it a cry for help you never know how she could be feeling try talking to her before you lose her to it.

Answer 4

Emo is a group of kids who are extremely emotional about many things and only wear vintage or crazy designed clothing. Emo kids are suppose to be into a high level of the music scene. Emo kids are often depressed by stupid things.

Answer 5

Emo was originally a punk movement in the 80's that started in Washington DC. It's music consisted of sensitive and introspective lyrics. Today it has evolved in a style, complete with mannerisms and fashion. Opinions of Emo are very split, either being very negative or very positive. Emo culture consists of rebelling against mainstream society, almost like punk but with goth overtones. They emphasize expressing emotions, being intelligent, and being opinionated on generalized issues like war or the industry. They wear nerdy, used, or vintage clothes and glasses to portray a rebelliousness and high intelligence. They also have long bangs to cover their faces to artistically express their sensitivity. They also emphasize being retro and minimalism, not unlike the hippy of the 70's.

Nowadays, alot of people confuse real depression with Emo. There are alot of people who force drama, depression, and pain on themselves because it makes them cool and Emo. They don't realize that depression is serious stuff and not to be imitated.

Answer 6

My daughter is in 6th grade, at a middle school (6th, 7th & 8th grades). She said that at her school, Emos are Goths who act depressed. By her description, it's about style, as the kids are still communicative, engaged, and getting okay grades.
Many kids who'll cut themselves may favor Emo appearances, but there are plenty who cut and still look like Barbie (it's often hidden quiet well for some time).

Answer 7

Its a very overused word that stemmed from a type of music coming out of the DC area in the early 90s.

It just means she is going to be an emotional teenager basically. Its kinda the trendy thing to do. You remember how non-conformity was conforming when you are that age.

They all try to be so different that they all look the same. its a stage that she will grow out of, at least she isn't going trampy!

Answer 8

emo is a music type, its also became a "life style" for teens too. much like, grunge, hippy, hip hop kids, rockers, metal heads, goth, etc. its not an idealogy.
emo music is cry baby sometimes depressing kind of music.
clothes from hot topic are mostly black and goth style though they have items for the emo kids i guess. emo isnt bad, and its one thing to not like the clothes, sounds like shes feeling the waters, perhaps her friends are into the emo thing. remember, when you were in high school, there was alot of pressure mentally to fit in, one way or another, whether it was jock, preppy, good kids or bad.

Answer 9

I don't think anyone can explain "emo" basicly it is a way for kids that have a pretty good life to go around wearing dark clothing and pretending to be depressed and act like there life is crap. It use to be about muisc not now. Don't allow it unless you want to have fake moody child that whines abotu every little thing you do for her and say it is not good enough.

Answer 10

Emo (an abbreviation of "emotionally-driven Hardcore punk") is a term now broadly used to describe almost any form of guitar-driven alternative rock that expresses emotions beyond traditional punk's limited emotional palette of alienation and rage. It is also used to describe fans of this genre, most commonly teenagers. (e.g., emo kid). The actual term "emo" originated in the mid-1980s D.C. scene, with the band Rites of Spring, as well as bands such as Fugazi, Moss Icon, and Antioch Arrow. ...