For "emo" kids?

My nephew and all his little friends are into this emo thing. They all have their hair dyed several colors and wear black. I called them all 'gothcicles' when they had walked in the cold to get to my apartment. They got upset that I called them goth. I don't understand the difference other than the music. Truly, what is the deal with them? If you're an emo kid, why in the world would you want to cut yourself? For attention? Just show everyone your true self and then you'll make friends. Just tell me why you act this way. Because it's cool? And don't tell me that it's the true you, it's a phase. Don't cut yourself. I have disfiguring scars all along my forearms because I did that. And why are you sad?

For "emo" kids?

Like all subcultures, it is an expression of individuality, while also maintaining a sense of belonging.

I know, it sounds stupid to be "individual" by being just like all your friends, but as an "Emo", you are expressing a desire not to be part of the mainstream. Often this is because you have not been comfortable, not been welcomed by other people in society who hold common values, listen to common pop and wear common clothing. Thus, Emo people reject the dominant culture, and adhere to their own sub-culture.

This is a very serious thing, and while it is a stage, it is an important stage of identity development for your nephew. You should be proud that he wants to be different from other kids, but also maintains a social life, and actively takes pride in his appearance and responsibility for his interaction with culture. Would you rather a kid who just listens to the music everyone else listens to, or tags along with all the other "normal" kids? It's not a very interesting way to grow up...

In terms of insulting them with the goth thing - maybe they were upset that you were making fun of them, and showing that you aren't even aware enough of their choices to know that they are not being goths. Goth is seen to be a little old-fashioned, backward, maybe even girly. There is quite a difference in terms of musical taste, but also how you spend your time and social interaction too. They are quite different groups of people, and showing that you don't know or don't care that there is a difference might suggest that you don't feel that their choices are important. All teenagers particularly despise this attitude - it is important enough to them for them to try so hard, you should consider it more seriously.

The cutting thing probably also stems from the sense in many Emo kids that they don't belong. It is essentially a reaction to being rejected from society and/or a desire to reject the dominant social order.

In particular, being Emo can be associated with being depressed because such an emotion shows you are different from other kids, or because Emo kids seek each other out and find those who are more emotionally aware of themselves, and of the world around them. Being aware of the state of the world, as opposed to the ignorance many kids display, is enough to make you feel pretty depressed and overwhelmed. Given the way that Emo kids do group together, it is obvious that a lot of the more intellectually inclined kids will end up Emo - and these are also the kids who are more likely to have social and mental problems. This is something that permeates a lot of subcultures, and Emo culture is no different.

For "emo" kids?

Not all emos cut themselves,but they are all weird though.

For "emo" kids?

not all emos are weird...

For "emo" kids?

I'm offended that you call Emo's goths. Only because goths listen to WAY better music than emo's. At least goth's have that going for them!!

Anyways, it is a phase, and to me i think they do it to be "different" where as it's actually something they do to conform. By being emo they conform because, everyone's doing it! If they were really expressing themselves as a person, they wouldn't look like everyone else out, they'd have their own style.

I think just let them cut themselves, nothing you or anyone can say will make them stop. At least they'll have scars there to show them what idiots they were.

For "emo" kids?

Dude - I don't get this whole "emo" thing either. I think that Gerard Way is a poor man's Robert Smith.

For "emo" kids?

not every kid who is emo cuts. Do you think every girl who is blonde is stupid ? it's just something people say to piss off people who wear individual clothes and listen to non-mainstream music.

For "emo" kids?

If you have a nephew and live in your own apartment I'm going to assume you're an adult. You should be mature enough, then, to not label people and to look past how they dress and fix their hair. Open your eyes, and see that everyone's different and doesn't fit into a perfect mold.