Emo Culture: Are Parents Culpable?

Emo culture is loosely identified with young people who are overly emotional and sensitive. They are also introverts. This sub-culture has also been associated with depression, self injury and suicide.

The Russians consider it as a dangerous teen trend that promotes behaviour that is anti-social and have outlawed emo styles at schools.
Emo followers are reported to be promiscuous and suicidal. They often cut themselves and the scars of this self-harm are often displayed as badges of courage on their websites.

They usually wear tight jeans with studded belts and tight short-sleeved t-shirts with the names of emo bands. Black wristbands are part of their gear. Their hair styles are short with choppy layers and pink, blonde or blue highlights are popular. The side-swept bangs are long and often cover one eye.

Their songs contain morbid lyrics which express their feelings about life. Depression, confusion, anger at the world around them, self-harm and suicide are part of the emo community.

This movement has taken root in Malaysia and young girls who are depressed and stressed are attracted to it. The feeling that society misunderstands them and the feeling of being unaccepted evoke emotional reactions and self-inflicted cuts on their body. Their world is totally alien to their parents.

How could this state of things come about? This unbridgeable gap between parents and offspring?

Could it be that parents themselves, eking out a living, having no time to communicate and bond with their young, are culpable? Not taking the time to understand their youngsters, to talk and bond with them, doing things together with them, building rapport with them, nurturing trust and confidence as they grow…..has this driven a wedge between parents and children?

Leaving them to grow up on their own, without emotional support, without the secure knowledge that parents are there for them, their confidantes…..perhaps this is the toll. The young having to pay the price, driven to doubtful company and depression, sometimes culminating in suicide.

Parents, do not abdicate responsibility by spending your time garnering wealthy ambitions. Your children do not need the expensive gadgets, the “freedom” to do what they want. Your children need you right from their formative years throughout their teens and beyond. Make time for them. Time that steals past ever so swiftly and before you realize it, the damage is irreparable.

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