Be Goth at School
Although school is essential, it can also be restricting, miserable, and put some serious limits on the gothic style. Dress codes, school uniforms, rules, regulations, peer pressure, that jerk in math....there are so many little things that can begin to take a toll on us, and before we know it, they dominate our life. School can be especially Survive a Very Difficult Class if you're a Goth. People who don't understand your culture and lifestyle may laugh, bully, or misunderstand you. Teachers can treat you unfairly. School uniforms keep you away from the clothes, makeup and hairstyles that you want to express yourself with. Before you know it, somebody's mistaken you for a cheerleader. If you're a Goth and want to hang onto your style at school, then this article is for you.
Contents
Steps
- Learn the History. No Goth will ever be taken seriously if he or she does not know what she is talking about. You must understand the development of the Gothic subculture and Gothic music.
- Be Yourself. Goths should never afraid to be themselves. If you happen to like Siouxsie and the Banshees and Soulja Boy, say so with pride. Nothing is more goth then being honest about your interests.
- Get the Look. If you followed step one already you should know very well how much you can work with while still appearing gothic. Try to find clothes that you like and that express your interests. For example, many of the more energetic goths go for the cyber-goth look, emphasizing on black but with bright neon colors. If you're more quiet and reclusive, perhaps a more Victorian or Romantic-goth look is for you. If you like to look like a zombified nut then go for the Deathrock look. And if none of these suit you, and nothing else suits you, make something that does! DIY (Do it yourself) was huge when punk started, and goth grew out of punk with the same DIY approach.
- Stand Up For Yourself. Obviously goths tend to garner a lot of attention for various reasons. Depending on your personality this may or may not be enjoyable, but no matter what you will get picked on every now and then. Depending on how extreme the teasing goes, react accordingly to what you feel is appropriate (within reasonable boundaries of course).
- Deal With School Restrictions. Some schools require uniforms or have certain dress codes that must be met. Find out what these are and work around them as much as you can. Remember this: They can take your clothes, but they can't take your identity(and trust me, they really want to). Wear the clothes you want to wear outside of school if it's that bad, or consider transferring to a school that isn't so restricting. However, this should only be a last resort.
Tips
- Be true to yourself and the Gothic subculture. As open-minded as goth is, there still is a certain level of expectations that should be met. Goth is about looking into the darker sides of life and finding beauty there, and if doing this doesn't work for you... you aren't Gothic.
- Smile! True goths smile, and we need this world of stereotyping people to know this. Of course, not a forced smile, but a curved upwards smile that doesn't look fake.
- Don't be a poseur. Seriously, there's nothing people hate more than nu-metal headbanging jerks who just want to freak their parents out and blow up their school. Being sad, violent, and/or suicidal has nothing to do with being a goth, and they should not be performed. However, if this is truly how you are, and if it is escalating to a serious level, consider seeking psychological help.
- Make friends with everyone. The jocks, the preps, the band geeks, whatever. Labels are labels, subcultures are subcultures. Just because we have different interests and tastes doesn't mean we can't all get along.
- If you prefer aesthetics from the more romantic side of Goth, then it'll probably be easier to get around dress codes. Plenty of teachers will love to see their students dressed up in proper attire.
Warnings
- Some people will think you are strange and they may try to avoid you. Don't take this to heart; who knows, they may soon become your best peers.
- People might bully you; don't listen to your bullies because they will never understand the subculture.
- You might garner unwanted attention or be treated unfairly.
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