Appearance means everything to teenagers. At first, “appearance” seems as though it would mean only physical appearance- what looks back at you in the mirror- but the word has so much more depth to adolescents. Appearance is how you look on social media, your reputation, your wardrobe, and your achievements.
As we transitioned from children to teenagers, we became far more self conscious and self aware. The clothes we wear and how we look have become important factors in our self esteem. As we grow, we begin to watch others for social cues. We rush to malls to buy the trendiest clothing, style and cut our hair to match our friends’, all in an effort to in order to blend in with the crowd at school. Keeping up with trends is what keeps us relevant and self satisfied.
Right now, the biggest trend is social media. Posting regularly with life updates and photos of us with our friends and family is how our peers are able to observe and connect with us. The photos and messages we post on social media platforms define a large portion of our appearance. Appearing as sociable, talented, and accomplished are some of the main goals that teens have in mind when posting online. Our social media platforms play a big part in our popularity. Follower and Friend counts on Instagram and Facebook are public information, and anyone can see how many people like and comment on your posts. This creates an additional pressure on teens, pushing them to spend more time on social media in order to come across as well known.
Reputation plays a large role in what we perceive as our appearance. It defines what others think about us. Often, people know us by one main quality, whether it be our academic or athletic accomplishments, humor, popularity, or unique talents. Wherever our successes lie, we zero in on and become our own critics. Teens are constantly trying to find ways to become “better,” in fear of being judged or left behind by their peers.
Teens constantly watch themselves because they feel as though others are watching them too. One embarrassing trip in the hall or a bad joke can set us back tremendously, almost as though there is a scoreboard of our image, and every move counts. The goal of every teen is to keep up with their friends physically and socially. As a consequence, we have allowed appearance to be filled with anxiety and emotional turmoil. Teens shouldn’t be afraid to be different from one another or to be a little bit quirky. Our community should be working together to return appearance to simply mean individuality and self expression.
