When walking around school, it becomes blatantly obvious that many students seem to follow the same trends. From popular name brands of clothing, to the types of music teens listen to, the way they walk and talk and even the way people behave around others, it is clear that trends have a significant impact on the daily lives of teenagers. But what exactly prompts teens to follow these trends in the first place?
The Desire for Social Acceptance
One key reason why teenagers are so inclined to follow trends is the desire to fit in with others. Adolescents tend to care the most about acceptance by a group of friends or their peers. This urge to feel socially accepted by others can sometimes lead to them changing their interests and unique ideas to more “likeable” or “relatable” ones.
“I feel like [students] wanting to fit in is a very common thing to do at this age because you are trying to find yourself while also trying to fit in,” Wellness Counselor Fatima Hernandez said. “A lot of the time students feel the need to follow what other students are doing in order to fit in, when in reality they should be trying to be their own self to try to attract those people that are okay with them being themselves because those are the true friends.”
Trend Followers vs. Trendsetters
In today’s modern society, when it comes to trends, teens are split into two categories: trend followers and trendsetters. Trend followers tend to adopt trends once they become popular, while trendsetters are individuals who have their own sense of individuality, and are willing to push boundaries, regardless of the opinions of others.
The challenge arises for those who fear social judgement, and therefore follow trends rather than setting them. However, those who ignore the opinions of others and stay true to themselves are often more unique and authentic.
“I think that I’m a trendsetter,” freshman Quinley Csurics said. “A lot of the trends just aren’t really my style and don’t reflect who I am, so it’s easier for me to just wear what I want to wear.”
The Balance of Following Trends
Following trends is all about balance. For some teens, they only follow trends because they are afraid that they might get bullied or made fun of for what they like. But for others, following trends can limit their identity.
“I think that following trends can definitely make people feel like they fit in more, because if someone wears something that is really different from others they might get bullied,” senior Sarah Garland said. “But if people try too hard to fit in, they might feel like they can’t be themselves the way that they want to be.”
The Role of Technology and Social Media
The advancement of technology and social media plays a significant role in why teens follow trends and their behaviors. Before social media platforms, teenagers only compared themselves to the immediate “circle” of people around them, creating a more local influence.
When asked about how technology is affecting the way that individuals act, Hernandez explained that it is harder for teens to be their own unique selves due to the internet.
“This would have been an easier question way back when, but because of [the advancement of] technology I feel like [the individuality of teens has] gone backwards,” Hernandez said.
Now, with modern technology usage and social media platforms, teens are constantly exposed to the lifestyles and behaviors of people beyond their immediate surroundings.
“It’s not just at school, it’s at home and what [students] post outside of their school group context,” Hernandez said. “One of the things that I would say is to try to be private on social media if you can, and only allow those people that really care about you [to follow you].”
Embracing Individuality
So, how can teens try to take a step away from these trends and learn to embrace their unique selves? A major obstacle is the fear of how their peers could react. However, our Wellness Counselor suggests that it is more beneficial to try to embrace your uniqueness.
“Just try it. If you like something and you want to try it out, you can do it slowly if that’s who you are,” Hernandez said.
Teens are also being held back by overthinking.
“Whereas some people are bold and don’t care, it’s about that fear and knowing that you are not doing anything wrong, and not overthinking it,” Hernandez said.
Whether you choose to follow certain trends or not, it’s always important to stay true to yourself and remember that everyone is unique. Think about a time in your life when you were influenced to follow a trend. What were your thoughts before it became popular? What influenced you to follow it? And if none of your friends hadn’t followed those trends, would you still have?
