Does the goth/emo style represent underlying unhappiness or low self-esteem?

[regular-guy]

Interested in your opinions about the character or personality traits that correlate with the goth and emo styles.

[Cool-Relax]

When I was in high school (which wasn't that long ago), being emo wasn't about the way you dressed, it was about your emotions. It was the "no one understands me" mentality, and it generally meant you were a bit on the sad side. I would've been considered emo, but I didn't really dress the part.

The emo fashion was more mainstream. No emo kids actually dressed that way because it was like claiming that you're emo. True emo kids don't call themselves emo. You either have other people telling you that you're emo (and you deny it, like I did), or you come to the realization later on that you were emo (again, like I did).

I can only think of one goth kid who went to my school. She had the emo mentality, but she dressed in dark, baggy clothes--it was all considered an extension of her feelings.

The ones who are into the fashion are just scene kids. Or they were back when I knew the social hierarchy of high school.

[Reeses-pieces777]

it's just a projection of the image one wants the world to see. I don't have low self esteem. I have a lot of self confidence actually and I like how I look etc etc.

it's just a style. but some people are really into it.

it really depends on the individual too. their personality.

sometimes I dress goth/ emo but that's only when I'm with friends. or I am dressier with a cute summer dress or preppy. it really depends on my mood I guess.

i guess some emo people are just that, very emo. and then some people don't let their style own them.

[regular-guy]

Reeses, do you think you are a typical or atypical case? And what is the image that you want the world to see with a goth or emo style/demeanor?

[Reeses-pieces777]

It depends on my environment.I only do it for fun with friends-I'm not into the drinking or drugs, I just like to dress differently. At work, of course I have a professional attire and attitude. When I'm with friends, I'm more casual and relax and dress depending on my mood. When I'm at university, I 'm definitely not emo/goth, I'm just like any other student on campus. So I'm aware of the preconceptions of the attire, but I certainly keep my own identity and free-will with any style. Atypical

[rosieeebaby]

i think that it once used to but, like everything in america, its meaning has become distorted. Goth was never actually a style it was a way of life. many people that lived gothic lives took vows of silence to represent the hatred in the world. it was never a solemn thing although, because of the black colors, most people took it that way. then people began to think it was trendy and it turned into a fashion frenzy. the emo style is the modern form of the gothic style.

[Littletad]

I love Anime, and sometimes people associate that with the gothic crowd. And I'm quite sure I don't look anything like it. The point is that sometimes people find a style that fits them. It's most likely a personality acceptance. I don't really like that, since it associates with social order and groups that are specific with a personality type. I find everyone to be different in their own right, and to only be stereotyping themselves when they "choose" a group.

So why do they? Peer pressure, stigmas, and some other emotional buildups. In my opinion, the majority of people choose their preferences based on others or groups that they feel associate with their lifestyle.

Therefore it doesn't necessarily represent unhappiness or low-self esteem, but those can be factors.

[TheDigitalSaint]

I think those that choose to style themselves in such a manner are often doing so for attention-driven purposes. I am somehow "different" than the rest of the crowd, or so they say. I think it is part anti-establishment and part self-esteem issues for most of goth/emo types. Now, there are a few out there that just like the style who are perfectly normal individuals, but one thing that really gets me about the emo kids is that they seem to be really vain and self-centered, or at least the ones I've met. I'd like to believe otherwise, but so far, my experience has not given me reason to.

[xxangel1990xx]

I think the goth style does defo! They are all depressed and miserable and their clothes match that (all black and boring and depressing). But I don't think the emo style does because even though their clothes are horrible aswell, they aren't all black and depressing. I can't actually stand emos or goths-they scare me and I don't understand them. They always look miserable.

[l-hedoniste]

Most of the goth/emo culture I know is meant as a stern rebuke of a compulsively cheerful, superficial, and conformist culture. A striking expression of a healty impulse.

[regular-guy]

I think the attempt at non-conformity is accurate, and perhaps the intended rebuke of social norms as well.

[Anonymous]

I think a lot of goth/emo people now are just doing to it be fashionable. Just because your emo doesn't mean you are truly depressed and being depressed doesn't make you emo.