Stereotypes of a group of people can affect the way society views them, and change society's expectations of them. With enough exposure to a stereotype, society may come to view it as a reality rather than a chosen representation.
The media can be a powerful tool in creating or reinforcing stereotypes. An example is the public perception that youth crime is on the rise, or out of control.
This impression has been created largely through media coverage of alarming stories about high school shootings, property crimes, and incidents involving so-called youth gangs.
Statistics tell a different story. According to Statistics Canada, incidences of youth homicide have been on the decrease for years. There were 30 youths accused of homicide in 2001 - the lowest level in over 30 years and 18 fewer than the average of 48 over the past decade.
Between 1987 and 1997, the rate of youth charged with property offences, the most common kind of youth crime, dropped steadily.
Prompted by sensational headlines, politicians and lobby groups have called for tougher measures to deal with young offenders and to combat a perceived increase in youth crime. This despite the fact that young offenders already receive stiffer jail sentences in certain cases than adults who commit similar crimes (Statistics Canada, 2000).
"An important issue is how adults treat me just because I'm a teenager. Sure there are bad ones out there but I'm not one of them. It doesn't just hurt but it's disrespectful when security figures follow me around like I'm some kind of loser or criminal."
Canada's Teens, Today, Yesterday, and Tomorrow |
Negative stereotypes not only affect how adults see teenagers, they influence how teenagers see themselves. The feeling that the rest of the world doesn't respect or understand you does little to encourage a positive sense of self-worth.
Other minority groups in society -- such as blacks, native people, women, gays and lesbians -- have all experienced the effects of negative stereotyping and lack of positive images in the media.
Many of these groups have lobbied successfully to educate the media about issues that concern them, to challenge stereotypes, and to provide more balanced coverage of their communities.
One youth from Montreal, aged 15, sums up the feelings of many teens: "Today's youths are intelligent but some adults don't seem to think so. We are people too. Youths are discriminated against and that's not right. To get through to young people, you have to listen to them, trust them, and respect them. The way I look and the music I listen to does not make me a "bad" person. I am my own person." (Canada's Teens: Today, Yesterday, and Tomorrow)
