Goth Stereotypes

As an alternative subculture, Goth has been and continues to be subject to stereotyping.

Appearance:

 * Covered with body modifications such as piercings and tattoos
 * Dressed entirely in black, with no allowance for other colours
 * Excessively dressed up at all times
 * Overweight or underweight
 * Unhygienic

Disposition:

 * Delusional
 * Emotionally unstable
 * Lazy
 * Petulant
 * Perpetually depressed
 * Unfriendly
 * Unwilling to work
 * Violent

Partakes in:

 * Drug abuse
 * Listening exclusively to their favoured music
 * Self harm
 * Worship of Pagan Gods or Satan

☥ Stereotypes of the scene itself

 * A hivemind mentality
 * Based in perfectionism
 * Discourages joy for a strong focus in perpetual angst
 * Hierarchical, with older members being treated as superior to younger members
 * Identical to Emo
 * In a constant state of infighting
 * Indoctrinates young people in a cult-like manner
 * Promotes dangerous activities and ideas
 * Unfriendly or strict towards new members

☥ The effects of stereotyping
These stereotypes can be mistaken for genuine facts about Goths, and what they truly stand for. Stereotyping effects each Goth differently, ranging from being a mild inconvience to a genuine threat to one's welfare.

After the events of the Columbine High School massacre, the Goth scene was wrongly connected to the killers, who were not involved in the scene at all. In the ensuing moral panic, many learning institutions imposed harsh penalties onto Goths, fearing them to be potential domestic terrorists.

In 2007, a 20 year old English woman associated with Goth was murdered by a group of adolescent males. English police believe that the perpetrators committed this act out of a hatred for Goths. Since the incident, a memorial website was created in her name and she has recieved worldwide tributes through created media and events.