The media portrays teens in many ways. According to Dugan (2014), negative stereotypes in the media regarding teenagers are currently hurting their prospects of getting a job, according to research currently published. Government employment figured suggest that while employment on the whole is rising, many teens are still having difficulty acquiring jobs, and many, as many as 85 percent, feel that negative stereotypes particularly those in the media are to blame (Dugan, 2014). The media often portrays teens as disengaged, although many teachers suggest that teens are readily aware of current social issues (Dugan, 2014). While the media may portray teens as lazy and centered on the self or filled with entitlement, many particularly teachers find teens to be hard-working, compassionate and eager to find work (Dugan, 2014).
Bissler & Conners (2012) note that teens often are portrayed as lazy, unemployed and subject to crime or in trouble. This is particularly the case in many modern television shows, where teenagers may be more subject to questionable principles, failed values and weak work ethics (Bissler & Conners, 2012). These stereotypes may be untrue, but they certainly are common, with teens often engaging in crime on television, and with some television stars doing the appropriate time accordingly. Many children are portrayed as being in trouble, and having to look to others for support or looking for help in escaping conviction from problems they have gotten themselves into. In one television show a teenager is sent to a detention center for vehicular homicide, and then sent to a teenage detention center where he is told that he can expect a rough time for the first few days according to Bissler & Conners (2012). Such shows suggest that teens can routinely expect to get into trouble, and seriously trouble at that. This may be the result of substance abuse, lack of attention to authority, disregard for rules and regulation or other problems. Such characteristics are not the type of personality traits that most employers aspire to when looking for employees to hire for the short or long-term.
Further complicating matters, according to Dugan (2014) are the most popular shows, which include reality television shows, including shows entitled BBC’s Sun, and What Happens in Kavos, which are purportedly based in reality. These shows suggest that ordinary teenagers engage in wild parties often, and the associated irresponsible behavior associated with wild partying. Further, such partying may be accompanied with drinking and engaging in the use of drugs. Shows including police shows, and popular investigation shows, even CSI, may lead to the impression that substance abuse among teenagers is higher than it actually is. According to information gathered from the National Centers on Social Research, the number of teens to age 15 that report drinking alcohol has declined from 2003 through 2012 (Dugan, 2014). This suggests that while there are more reality shows, many of these are strictly for entertainment purposes, much like those created for adults. The reality suggests that many teens are actually embracing greater responsibility, and greater independence.
Stereotypes of wild teenagers have the effect of infringing on their self-esteem, and their independence. If a hiring manager has to choose between to candidates that are equally qualified, and one is a teen the hiring manager may have a stereotype against, then the hiring manager is more likely to select the other candidate. This is where stereotypes can be dangerous. Fortunately there are steps that teenagers can take to minimize the impact the media has on their ability to acquire and retain quality jobs. The first step is as with anyone, building a quality resume (Greene & Martel, 2011). Even if a teen has no job experience, having a resume that states a reasonable objective, one’s regular attendance and future goals will help an employer view a teen as responsible and professional. Adding a cover letter to the resume can also help lend a sense of credibility to a potential job candidate. The cover letter can include a sense of the teen’s purpose and goals in meeting with the hiring manager and in working with the organization. Most important to helping overcome stereotypes for the teen facing them in the resume process is acquiring letters of reference (Greene & Martel, 2011). These can come from teachers, associates, volunteer organizations or other community agencies where the teen is involved. These can speak to integrity, ethics and other important values that the employer will look for, but that may have been impacted from inappropriate stereotypes in the media.
The media must also work to portray teens with greater integrity and responsibility. Teenagers will not survive if they continue to be portrayed as lazy, lacking integrity and without strong work ethic. The media has a significant influence on employers, organizations and society at large. Without a drastic change in the way the media portrays teens, it is likely that teens will continue to have an uphill battle when facing potential employers. In light of this, it is vital that teens continue to present themselves as professionally as possible to avoid living up to pre-set expectations of their performance, whether these are accurate or inaccurate based on stereotypes. The more teens can work as a group to have their voice heard in the workforce, the more likely that inequitable stereotypes may be broken.
- Bissler, D.L. & Conners, J.L. The Harms of Crime Media: Essays on the Perpetuation of Racism, Sexism and Stereotypes. Print: McFarland. 2012.
- Greene, S. & Martel, M. (2011). The Ultimate Job Hunter’s Guidebook. Cengage Learning.
- Dugan, E. (2014). Teenage Job Hopes Ruined by Negative Media Stereotypes. The Independent. 2012. Web. Accessed October 29, 2014: http://www.independent.co.uk/news/business/news/teenage-job-hopes-ruined-by-negative-media-stereotypes-9137147.html
