| Hannah Smith | Hannah is 15 and studying for her G.C.S.E’s in Luton. In her spare time she fills in her many notebooks and scrapbooks and talks continuously on the phone, much to her parents’ delight. She is very opinionated and has no problem telling anyone if they get on her nerves. She enjoys kayaking, drawing and writing. And hopes to work in Journalism or advertising when she finishes college. |
Image is everything these days, and I’m fed up with adults criticising teenagers about everything. How they act, how they behave and even how they look. Whatever we do we just can’t seem to live up to their expectations. But this time I found myself agreeing with these people who look down their noses at youths.
Living in Luton and attending a local High School I find myself one of many people who are terrorised by gangs. However the anti-social behaviour isn’t just happening in Beds, Herts and Bucks; it’s a national issue, which people are more than aware of.
 | | Hannah Smith |
But however intimidated I might be when I see gangs, faces hidden, on street corners smoking or drinking it must be ten times worse for the elderly, disabled or a mum with a small child. How can these people feel safe when these teenagers with their hoods up are patrolling the streets and causing mayhem? Saying this though, I feel like a hypocrite because I myself own and wear and hooded sweatshirt, but I don’t belong to a gang and I don’t hang around on street corners, and I apologise for all of you out there who are not the minority, who wear hoodies, and who are being given a bad name because of some youths.
Expert psychologists have warned parents and teachers that wearing hooded tops is a form of expression and that being able to express yourself is vital in growing up. However schools across England are banning hooded tops altogether to prevent bullying, crime and disrespect for teachers. To be fair I can see their point but I’m sure that banning hoodies will not stop anti-social behaviour, although it might cause a decrease in the behaviour because not covering their faces gives away their identity. Hoodies are an accessory for gangs but not the cause of anti-social behaviour. Nevertheless, more and more people are stereotyping hoodies with violence and crime. Bluewater shopping centre in Kent is one such organisation, its ban on hoodies has been met by sighs of relief by the public but anger and confusion by outraged teens. | "Hoodies are an accessory for gangs but not the cause of anti-social behaviour." | | Hannah Smith |
One of them, Katie was recorded as saying, “People should be able to wear whatever they want, its discrimination to ban them and assume that only gangs and yobs wear them, they are ok unless someone is trying to disguise their identity.” I asked some of my school friends what they thought. Jason B Black hoodies are alright because Goths and Skaters wear them but have the hoods down. But chavs just look stupid with the hoods up. Cat, Beds I wear hoodies all the time so I think it’s stupid that they ban the hoods. People who wear the hoods up though obviously don’t like their hair! Terry, Luton I don’t think hoods are intimidating, but maybe that’s because I’m a guy. Hoods are stylish. Sheetal, Luton Hoodies are cool unless there cheap or have a cheesy logo on them. Maya, Beds I think hoodies are fine they shouldn’t ban them or anything. Emma, Beds I don’t have a problem with people wearing a hoodie with the hood up when the weather is bad but I can’t see the need to wear one inside or when the weather is nice. Shandi S Hoodies are good but not on chavs. Meanwhile, a spokesman for the children’s charity NCH has spoken out against Tony Blair who is backing the Bluewater ban: "For the vast majority of young people, wearing a hood is much more about wearing clothes that are fashionable than it is about looking threatening" said the spokesman. And I have to agree, putting a ban on the hoodie will only make teenagers want to wear it more, to rebel and be different. Knowing High Street fashion, the hoodie will cease to be fashionable when this mess has finally been sorted out. Hannah Smith | 
