Exam Practice questions

Compare and contrast the representation of teenagers in the two texts.

The game Bully trailer portrays teens in a negative light. This is done in many ways for example, the way in which the boy is dresses, goes against the social moral codes of how a teen/ schoolboy should dress. For example, in the trailer his shirt is un-tucked, which stereotypically is the get up of those who act deviant by going against the rules and regulations of the school creating negative representation of young teenage boys. Also, the way in which he is presented reflects the negative representation of teens as he is shown as the typical yob, which always causes anomie within society and social surroundings. He is shown as bullying other school kids, clearly suggesting he is deviant as he goes against the typical codes and conventions of behaviour on the school premises. This hypodermically injects the idea into the minds of young teenagers that acting rebellious within school and society is acceptable, whereas in reality it isn’t, therefore this may cause conflict as it may encourage teens to act in this inappropriate manner. Also, teenage school girls are also represented in a negative manner as they are shown making out with other school boys, reflecting them as sexual objects, especially through the way in which they are dressed and presented to the audiences. They are shown wearing short miniskirts, with their shirts hanging out. This follows the typical conventions of a deviant school girl, who are stereotyped as most likely becoming teen mums as a result of their sexual behaviour, as shown in the trailer. These stereotypes of teenage mums are reinforced through representations like these as miniskirts connote a sexually sinister school girl character who would be more than happy to break away from the norms of society by acting and dressing inappropriately. Similarly, Skins trailer also represents teens negatively. This is done through the montage of shots you are faced with of teens getting high and being sexually active. These are actions that are being carried out illegally and under age, therefore clearly suggests they are deviant as they are breaking the law, norms and values of society and instead leading the path of rebellious teens, who always causes anomie within society and social grounds, the same way shown in the bully trailer. They are also dressed the same as shown in the Bully trailer, as they all are dressed untidily in their school uniforms stereotypical signifying the “naughty kids”.