Is there an alternate def. of "emo?"?

Question

My middle school son refers to kids cutting themselves, or as a minimum scraping their wrists until red (simulating cuts) as "emo." Trendy is one thing; dangerous is entirely another. Is my son hanging out with this type of child, or ones who are "goth" something I should be extra concerned about?

Answer 1

If all we parents had to worry about were that the kids were dying their hair blue and dressing like someone died, we would all be very happy. Just be thankful that he is not looking the other direction such as gangs, materialistic things, and the drug heads. I have a neice that likes the Gothic look but most of her close friends are the same. Many of the Gothic types in the schools here are actually some of the best students in the school with grade point averages of 3.4 or higher. They are more into detail when learning and wanting to know the why and how rather than just the basic info that is given to them. The Gothic style started from the punk era but is more of a traditional outward expression of the teenage aingst where they leave their childhood behind but not quite an adult but with adult emotions with child like reactions. Emos just take it a step farther (sometimes) and do the "cutting" or extreme piercing for the shock value more than the emotional aingst that is associated with being EMO's. Let him be what he thinks interests him. If it looks as though he may be withdrawing or getting himself into extreme things then I would have a porch sit with a soda and just let the conversation roll. Never straight out ask things to a teenager and never be the "typical" parent with the accusing or worried voice of "where have you been, what have you be doing, who you been with," ect ect ect. That just makes them shut down and do the "i dunno" or shrugging a lot. When they see that you are just shooting the breeze a lot of times they will speak but you will have to learn to read between the lines so to speak. Remember this, authority is you, police, the government, or adults in general. They are at that stage opposing the norm and the accepted norm as well as anyone in the authoritative position. The more you exert your "authority" the more they fight or shut down completely. Just roll with it for a while because these things do run their course eventually. If he comes to you wanting to dye his hair a freaky color be excited sort of and suggest colors and be willing to take him or her to have it done and don't give them that "that looks strange" look either. It makes this time of their life a little easier to go through and they can see that you love them no matter what they do, because, truley, isn't that what we all are looking for, acceptance and love?
Good luck.
PS - My neice came to me when she went through this stage because her mom was that way and we dyed her hair in streaks of Blue one year and the next year we did red. And now she has let her hair grow long again and we chunked it red again. She is a 4.3 student and is in her first year of College and tested out of several of the 1st year classes and is doing advanced studies. I just got her starting to wear pink (you gotta go slow, LOL)

Answer 2

There are very few that hang out with the "emo" or "goth" that go as far as cutting. Emo is simply emotional, and the people that call themselves that are just basically expressing their emotional side more so than many do. If your son starts to cut or something like that, take action! But give him the benifit of the doubt. Chances are, this is simply a faze, and will pass soon.

Answer 3

I agree with the first answerer.hmmm. but to answer, I agree, trendy is one thing, cutting is dangerous and needs to be addressed,I would look into whomever your kid is hanging with. Kids do trendy things to fit in or just to be different. I know I went punk for awhile, that was interesting because I was such a geek!!! I went goth, when i was an adult, to gain the love of someone i was madly in love with, and it failed, but i am sure i would not go that route again.

Answer 4

I think your definition is pretty extreme. Emo stands for emotional. It is also a music genre. The lyrics in this genre can be pretty intense and sometimes refer to blood and death (in my opinion that's more old school emo). Most emo bands just whine about how life sucks, relationships suck, mom and dad suck, and so on. I wouldn't be too worried about your son. Emo is just a phase that may be accompanied by black eye liner and sad music.

Answer 5

Not really. Unless you notice any unethical behavior coming out of it since they've hung out and it concerns you. If he starts changing clothing style, don't sweat it, or the hairstyle thing. It's just a trend. But if of course he starts trying to cut himself or his attitude changes completely, I'd step in.

Answer 6

i think of that the two are stressful alongside with those words. bling, crunk, etc. i propose come on human beings use genuine goddamn words no longer some made up crap, in simple terms becuase retarded human beings arise with them do no longer propose that they are meant to be repeated persistently..