I have noticed that people who believe in stereotypes typically don’t have contact with the stereotyped group. Stereotypes might have evolved from incidents or anecdotes, which have tried to describe a certain group; however, stereotypes certainly don’t tell the whole story.
Teenagers have been stereotyped as being lazy, irresponsible, rebellious, promiscuous and disrespectful. Those descriptors might identify some teens but certainly not the majority of teenagers in our community.
So who are we? We are a progressive, modern-day generation with a conglomeration of different ethnicities, interests, abilities and responsibilities. Most of us strive to reach our full potential of living a dynamic young life. We are workers, athletes, scholars, musicians and volunteers.
Many teens have after-school and summertime employment in the food and maintenance industries, childcare, retail, tutoring, delivery as well as parks and recreation. Salaries earned finance car insurance, cell phones, social activities, college funds and family incomes.
Morgan Hill Unified School District sponsors a comprehensive sports program for boys and girls, which has promoted athletes who often compete in state championships. School programs are augmented by private sports organizations which field teams in baseball, softball, soccer and even swimming.
We are also scholars. Many of us tackle advanced placement classes during the school year, which have rewarded us with college credit and national recognition in placing as SAT semi-finalists. During the summer we might enroll in summer classes in computer, art, drama, literature and foreign language.
Morgan Hill is famous for its music programs: School-sponsored marching, jazz, and swing bands as well as concert orchestras are enthusiastically supported by students and their families. Further, rock musicians have formed numerous rock bands that perform in gigs throughout the South Bay area.
Most importantly, we are volunteers. Various churches organize trips for teens to travel to Mexico and Central America where they assist in building homes and schools. Teens also volunteer for community-based civic programs. The City of Morgan Hill sponsors a youth group which campaigns against teen alcohol use. Teens also raise funds for cancer research/awareness, homeless shelters, food banks and a wheelchair foundation. They tutor at Boccardo Transitional Housing and at their own school libraries. That is just a short inventory of what teens do.
And now, I have my own stereotype for teens: BUSY!
Catherine Connor is a junior at Ann Sobrato High School. Reach her at
ct*****@ao*.com
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