QUESTION FOR ADULTS FROM TEENAGERSwhy do adults discriminate on teenagers?

Question

im 14

and some adults at the shops and stuff think just becuase im a teenager in going to be bad

eg.when i went shopping with my mum once she was looking at clothes and i was looking at make up and i got kicked out of the shop !

and when i went shopping with my friend a few days i had to empty out my bag and show all reciets and she ended up keeping me in the shop for 45 mintues while she searched my things to make sure i didnt steal anything

and adults are always rude to me

i no that some teenagers are bad but not all of us are

i dont wear dark make up or bad clothes or am rude or anything

just really want to no why some adults do this

Answer 1

IN RESPONSE TO SUNSHINE (AND MANY OTHERS)....

No actually that is incorrect. You see what happens is ADULTS think teenagers think they know everything. I think you'll find none of us will ever seriously suggest that we know everything. And we often get sick of being treated like some sub-human being which doens't have a mind just because we aren't 18 yet. I'm not saying we are perfect and this beleif is totally incorrect, i mean just like anybody we do bad things, we don't claim to be perfect, and i agree a few of us do set a bad example for the rest of us....but you tend to generalise alot you adults. (Yes i am aware that i was just being hypocritical)

But you see when a middle aged white man steals something people say; "He is a bad man", but when an african-american steals something they say "Black people are bad" or they say "teenagers are bad". I don't mean to generalise myself....not all people do this...infact not even the majority do...but i know a fair few people who do...they see a couple of bad examples and ignore the good ones!

TO ANSWER THE QUESTION....

Since adults think that we think we are invincable and all knowledgaeble they worry and think that the few bad eggs among us are infact the majority. As you know only a small percent of us are theives and rude. most of us are as pleasant (and sometimes smart for that matter) as adults are.

Adults often seem to have their minds erased of teenagehood. And they don't understand us...i mean h**l...WE don't understand us! We are confusing creatures.....point is they don't get our motives and ways so they don't know what we'll do next!

What you have descirbed is just plain, simple and rude descrimination! I mean seriously! You sound like a pretty mature and good person, and not someone who would draw attention to themselves. I mean when a kid can't go shopping without being hassled it menas it's gone too far! It's as simple as racial or spiritual (religion) discrimination...they either think we are sub-human or just don't understand us and are scared/worried by our unpredictability.

I mean i understand caution....you know... they are supposed to check the bags of everyone, that is their job i understand that.....but they are clearly singling you out. Some things are just too far! ANd they pick on us, like any 'faction'. I am far from accusing all adults of being descriminating and rude towards us.... i am merely stating that this behaviour described is not ok.

Well i am not an adult so i cannot help, but i am simply trying to help adults understand our frame of mind and i am trying to convey what i think they think about us!

Answer 2

I'm a teenager as well and I can tell you that it's all about image and the way you move and act.  You have to look harmless, stand up straight, look like you're there for a purpose, be very rigid and act like a snooty adult.  Even though it sounds stupid, that's the only way ******* like the lady in the shop will let you by.  If you slouch, loosen your arms, and look like you're there for no particular reason, then adults are more likely to find you suspicious.  

Answer 3

Maybe you or some of the people you are seen with have stolen from the store before, i know it isn't fair but maybe you also look like somebody that would be stealing things, i hate to say that because thats ridiculous but thats just how people are. to be honest i don't even care when people steal especially kids i worked at shaws for a long time and always let it slip but im only 18

Answer 4

Adults aren't necessarily the only clever ones, contrary to what they might think. They make silly decisions and stereotype and make generalizations regarding age just like everybody else. They tend to base bad experiences concerning teenagers on what they perceive every teenager to be like, which is wrong. I'm fourteen, too, but I've never been treated as deplorably as you were. I think if teenagers made an effort with their behaviour and appearance every once in a while, problems such as what everybody is discussing now wouldn't even exist. Of course, young people will always be blamed and categorized and looked upon as naive, stupid and law-breaking but that doesn't apply to every single teenager out there and adults should know that by now.

Answer 5

EVERYONE LISTEN TO HOLLY M!!

SHE HAS SPOKEN!

it's how exactly i feel, and maybe most of teenagers feel like that.

adults, do act like a child. Even i've seen stupid druken adults doing that, even stupidier.

adults just seem to think we are stupid, but we've got feelings too! we are just like everybody. adults who think like that, are just plain childish.

okay, thumb downs, adults. i don't care. i had enough with adults and certainly i WILL NEVER ever treat like that to a teenager when i become an adult because i will keep reminding myself about teenage years.

p.s NO  we don't think that everything we do is right. we may act like it but inside us we do know everything we do is not always right!

Answer 6

Im the proud mother of two teenagers. Them and their friends are fine..they cross the line at times, but what teenager doesnt. I could kill them sometimes..but what parent couldnt. All in all, I find MOST teenagers are decent kids, regardless of the weird hair and those stretchy ear lobes piercings..gawd I dont like them big holes lol. but every now and then ya meet a teen and all you can think is "thank god that aint my kid" Its THOSE kinda teenagers that ruin it for the rest of you :(

Answer 7

OMG that is well bad!!! poor thing :(

im only 19 so cant really answer, but thats not right

Answer 8

Dont take offence from the shop keepers. Its because of the stupid teenagers that do shop life. The shop keepers are only looking out for there business and they go about it the wrong way.

There are loads of shop lifters around and they dont know how to tell the difference between the "good shoppers" and the "shop lifters".

It has happened to me a few times before. This lady followed me around the shopping centre for over 2 hours, then asked me open my bag....she was left very red faced and I made her apologies very loud so everyone could here her.

Answer 9

Um. I'm a teenager, and normally that doesn't happen to me. Most adults love me because I'm mature. And you know what, I wear dark colors, sometimes dark make up, and I paint my nails black.

Answer 10

We should learn from each other, for example I should remember when I was I lil more free

Answer 11

Way to go Holly, I'm on your side.

Answer 12

old flops there just sick because you are young kid

Answer 13

How to put this delicately?  I work with the youth group at our church.  I know the kids there are great, still have a lot of growing up to do, but overall are good kids.  For the most part, teenagers are good kids, just trying to figure out where they fit in.  While shopping, think about it from the businesses perspective.  They probably incure a lot of losses (thefts) from teenagers.  (I know adults steal too).  Whenever 2 or more are gathered, they have to watch.  Did you have a big purse with you?  Sometimes that sends off warning bells in their heads.  I'm sorry you've been treated unfairly.  It happens to all of us, at one time or another.  If you get stopped again, be patient, do as they ask, and don't be rude.  Perhaps that store shouldn't be getting your business.  It does get better.

Answer 14

That's bad. But even I sometimes get treated like that and I'm younger than you! They just assume that. Like, with the make up thing, just stay with your mom.♥

Answer 15

basicly everything i wanted to say holly said

she said it perfectly!

:D

Answer 16

Because they are legally allowed to. It happens to alot of people, and you should join www.youthrights.org.

Answer 17

Teenagers assume they know everything but they don't, and a lot of them make bad decisions. Don't take it personally.  

Answer 18

I am an adult,but don't agree the way you have been treated.Are you loud? They say to show adults respect but in my book it goes both ways. respect has to be earned both ways

Answer 19

ok I'm 16 and i agree with sunshine.

i get stereotyped a lot too.. but it doesn't bother me.

Answer 20

Not all adults behave like this. I think it's really unfair to be treated this way but the majority of teenagers are rude and arrogant.

Dont let it get to you. I admit it is pretty crappy being treated as if you are alays doing wrong. I guess that is another reason so many teenagers rebel. you think i'll steal so then i will steal!!!