Media Studies

www.curriculum-press.co.uk Number 035

Representations of Teenagers in Television Teen Dramas
The aims of this Factsheet are to: AQA / OCR / WJEC?
• identify the common stereotypes of teenagers Representation is a Key Concept in the AQA specification and
• identify where these stereotypes are evident in contemporary is studied in more detail in the A2 unit Representation in the
media texts Media. OCR covers issues of representation in the AS Key
• discuss what affects these representations Media Concepts unit which focuses upon TV Drama and the A2
unit Media and Collective Identity. Representation is a key
issue in the WJEC specification as part of the AS Media
Stereotypes of Teenagers
Representation and Responses unit and the A2 unit Text,
Since the very early depictions of teenagers in the films of the
Industry and Audience.
1950s, young people have suffered from largely negative or one-
dimensional representations in the media. These representations
have been repeated so often in a variety of texts that they have
become stereotypes. There are four main stereotypes of teenagers:

Stereotype Example

Juvenile delinquents are running out of control on a self-destructive Becky in Kidulthood (Dir. Huda 2006)
path. Though often from an affluent background, these teenagers become
involved in crime and drugs and indulge in promiscuous sex. They are
usually brooding, selfish and self-confident, though they often become
alienated from their parents and peers as a result of their behaviour. The
extreme of this stereotype are the ‘teen apocalypse’ characters, portrayed
as bored, angst-ridden individuals who often act out violently as a result
of their circumstances.
(http://uk.movies.yahoo.com/k/Kidulthoood/photos-1848660-
1771631.html)

The superficial teen stereotype depicts teenagers as consumed by Cher in Clueless (Dir. Heckerling 1995)
unimportant school-related problems, such as playing truant, avoiding
detentions and attending the prom with a dream date. Rather than being
alienated from adults, these teenagers are able to effectively manipulate
their clueless parents and dumb teachers. Though the characters are
often academic underachievers, they are still smart enough to get their
own way eventually. Such characters often learn valuable life lessons,
usually helped by a sympathetic and understanding parent, such as being
true to themselves and respecting others (http://www.screenrush.co.uk/film/
galerievignette_gen_cfilm=14471&cmediafichier=18608809.html)

The dumb teen is portrayed as drug-addled or socially inept but always Napoleon in Napoleon Dynamite (Dir. Hess 2004)
idiotic. These characters do not fit in with their peers and choose to live
their lives according to their own beliefs, no matter how often they are
ridiculed by others.

(http://thecia.com.au/reviews/n/napoleon-dynamite.shtml)

The sarcastic, self-aware but bitter teenager is a more subtly sarcastic Roland in Saved! (Dir. Dannelly 2004)
character. They are often used in texts to comment upon the inadequacy
of the teenage stereotypes and to undermine them. These characters are
resentful of the treatment they receive as a result of being young.

(http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/5078337/)

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035. Representations of Teenagers in Television Teen Dramas Media Studies
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Activity
Think of other examples of characters which fit the stereotypes of teenagers from three different types of media text.

Stereotype of teenagers Soap Opera Teen Film Sitcom

Juvenile delinquent
Smart but superficial
Dumb teen

Sarcastic, self-aware but bitter

Teenagers on Television
The genre of any text will affect how certain groups are represented in the narrative. For example, the generic convention of a horror film
means it is necessary for the female characters to behave in certain ways but these representations will be very different to how women
are portrayed in romantic comedies. Television genres are no different.

Dawson’s Creek (1998 – 2003) can be considered a teen drama series However, as the series of Dawson’s Creek progressed, Pacey was
and the nature of the genre necessitates certain representations in also portrayed as the smart teenager, the sarcastic, self-aware
the text. Similar to other American teen dramas like The O.C (2003 – teenager and sometimes the juvenile delinquent. He effectively
2007) and One Tree Hill (2003 – present), the characters in Dawson’s embodied all four stereotypes at different points in the programmes’
Creek needed to have worries, hopes and aspirations to create the six series.
‘drama’. It is clear to see that such television programmes have
used many of the stereotypical representations of teenagers outlined Unusually for stereotypical teenage characters, the teenage
earlier. For example, Jen in Dawson’s Creek (1998 – 2003) is the characters in Dawson’s Creek were old before their time; they held
typical juvenile delinquent, sent to the safety of her grandmother’s deeply philosophical conversations which seemed unrealistic and
home to mend her ways. yet the issues the programme discussed would be problems
encountered by many real teenagers. The serious approach to
However, it is possible to see many teenage television characters issues such as the divorce of parents, relationships and
as more complex individuals than those stereotypes seen in films as homosexuality meant the teenagers seemed like mini-adults rather
a result of television programmes having more time to develop than realistic representations of teenagers.
characters. Though the audience spends only around two hours
with a film character, a television character can be shown for many American teen drams are extremely popular with British teen
hours over the course of a series. So, whilst Jen never managed to audiences and are a large part of Channel 4’s scheduling. It would
totally escape her stereotype, she was allowed to develop other be unwise for British production companies to compete directly
aspects of her personality, such as regret about her past behaviour with these successful programmes by creating their own, especially
and her aspirations for the future. when the budgets for American shows would be so much higher, so
programmes created for teenage audiences in the UK have tended
to combine the typical conventions of the American teen drama
genre with comedy elements.

Sugar Rush (Channel 4 2005 – 2006), Drop Dead Gorgeous (BBC3

2006 – 2007) and Skins (E4 2007 – present) have used exaggerated
stereotypes to add humour to otherwise dramatic narratives so they
offer something different to the teen audience. However, these
programmes have tended to rely upon the same basic stereotypes
as their American counterparts.

Exam Hint:- When you are writing about representations of

(http://www.ew.com/ew/allabout/0,,20000220,00.html) teenagers in your exam, remember to refer to the stereotypes
and give specific examples which support your point. Refer to
Other characters in Dawson’s Creek combined elements of the characters in named texts and give examples of their behaviour
different stereotypes to create more rounded, and possibly more from specific episodes.
realistic, representations of teenagers. Pacey appeared to be the
dumb teen. He was the class clown, always acting out and failing
academically.

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035. Representations of Teenagers in Television Teen Dramas Media Studies
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Skins Case Study

In this image, Tony is shown to be unconcerned by his father’s
Skins and Channel 4 presence. The high angle camera shot, rather than suggesting
The ideology of the institution which produces or finances a text Tony’s father is in a position of power, implies just the opposite as
will influence the representations within the text. Skins is made by Tony’s insolent pout shows he is in control in their relationship.
Company Pictures for Channel 4. Channel 4 is a publisher-
broadcaster which means it commissions production companies to Chris, the protagonist of series one
make programmes specifically for its channels or it buys ready- episode four, is the teenage delinquent.
made programmes in from other companies. Programming is funded His criminal behaviour is focused
by on-air advertising, programme sponsorship and the sale of around his excessive drug use but he
programme content either to other broadcasters or to the public on is also involved in an inappropriate
DVD. Skins was the first programme commissioned for E4, Channel sexual relationship with his Psychology
4’s digital entertainment channel which targets the 16 – 35 age range. teacher.
(http:/viewmorepics.myspace.com/
Much of programming on the various Channel 4 outlets is for a
Similar to other media representations of the juvenile delinquent,
youth audience which means that the representations will be created
Chris’ dysfunctional home life is used to explain his self-destructive
to appeal to that group. In addition, Channel 4 must follow its
and self-harming behaviour. His father is absent and uninterested
public service remit to produce programmes which demonstrate
and, in his dedicated episode, his mother disappears leaving him
innovation, creativity and which will appeal to a culturally diverse
£1000 in cash in the kitchen, which Chris promptly spends on drugs,
society. As a result, representations of all social groups should be
alcohol and pizza. Despite such a problematic home life, Chris is
evident across the range of texts commissioned. Channel 4 are also
still used by the writers of Skins to create comedy. The audience is
committed to commissioning programmes produced outside Greater
encouraged to laugh at Chris’ wide-eyed enthusiasm, his relentless
London in an attempt to balance the ‘London-centric’
pursuit of his teacher’s affections and his poor personal hygiene
representations often portrayed in the media. This is one of the
habits.
reasons Skins is set in the South West city of Bristol and Hollyoaks
is set in Chester. The character of Jal,
Skins and its Audience protagonist of episode three,
Skins is primarily targeted at an audience of 16 – 24 year olds, embodies the sarcastic, self-
although the first series’ DVD release was classified 18 and the aware and bitter stereotype.
official website features a warning that the content is unsuitable for She can see through Tony’s
under 18s. To fully exploit the interests of the target age group, manipulative ways and always
Channel 4 publicised both series of Skins extensively on the Internet. tell him so but she is resentful
Each character has their own fictitious MySpace page and the of her family’s lack of interest in
programme is heavily promoted via trailers on the MySpace (http://profile.myspace.com/ her achievements as a talented
homepage. The first episode of series two was aired simultaneously index.cfm?fuseaction musician.
=user.viewprofile&friendid
on E4 and on MySpace. Each episode of series one of Skins focused
=140518345)
upon a narrative concerned with one character, with ongoing
storylines and character developments arcing over the whole series. Finally, Sid is represented as the dumb teen. He is ridiculed by
Tony, unable to get a girlfriend and always behind with his school
The official Channel 4 Skins website featured unseen mini-episodes
work. However, Sid refuses to conform to the norm or become more
to fill in narrative gaps created in the series one episodes as well as
like Tony, as shown in the talking Mega-dog t-shirt he repeatedly
competitions and a viewers’ forum. Whilst the audience did not
wears in series one. It is Sid who provides most of the comedy in
need to see these to understand the broadcast episodes, they added
Skins, albeit unintentionally.
character and narrative depth for those viewers who did watch
them.
Rather than laughing at Sid, the audience is positioned to feel for
him and laugh at how ridiculous, yet recognisable, the situations he
Stereotypes of Teenagers in Skins finds himself in are. For example, when Sid is trying to sneak out of
Auburn and Grady (2000) claim that his house behind his parents’ backs he accidentally sets off his
television can contribute to people’s talking t-shirt, making it obvious what he is trying to do. Sid’s
misunderstanding of young people and resignation to the trouble he will face is humorous as most people
reduces teenagers to a set of fixed types. can relate to the situation.
The limited representations seen to exist
in many media texts are also evident in
Skins. Tony, the protagonist of the first Exam Hint:- When you are writing about stereotypes be careful
episode of series one is the smart, that you do not make over-simplistic generalisations.
(http://www.radiotimes.com/ superficial teen. Remember that stereotypes group people according to
shows/skins/series-one/) supposed characteristics and, whilst they may be based upon
He is popular and good looking and is always determined to get his some truth, are not necessarily true of all people in that group.
way, regardless of which of his friends he may hurt along the way
(usually his girlfriend, Michelle, and his best friend, Sid). He belittles
his father and friends but, by the end of the first series, has effectively
alienated himself from them all as a result of his callous disregard
for their feelings, showing a development of the stereotype.

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035. Representations of Teenagers in Television Teen Dramas Media Studies
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Despite Skins reducing some of its teenage characters to The fact that Skins is a comedy
stereotypes, there are other characters who demonstrate other series necessitates that
aspects of teenage life. Often the types of representations evident representations be based upon
in media texts can be related to the social concern of the time they reality so that the audience can
were produced. In Skins several contemporary issues are raised relate to the characters’ situations
through the characters. Aside from the usual worries of teenagers and laugh along with them.
being out of control which have been evident in the media since the However, realistic representations
1950s, Skins discusses problems particular to teenagers nowadays. would not provide the amount of
comedic situations necessary to
For example, Cassie is struggling with anorexia nervosa, bulimia and fill a series so the representations
self-harming behaviours. Maxxie is openly homosexual but faces ( h t t p : / / e n . w i k i p e d i a . o r g / w i k i / must be exaggerated to combat
prejudice when his best friend, Anwar, feels that his Muslim faith Cassie_(Skins_character)) this.
will not allow him to remain friends with Maxxi. Disordered eating,
homosexuality and issues of faith, especially Islam, are all For example, whilst it is possible that there are teenagers who share
contemporary issues which would not necessarily have been evident one or two of Cassie’s personality traits, it is less likely that there
in media texts of the past. Despite dealing with potentially would be a real person who embodies them all. For the purposes of
controversial issues, Skins is not judgemental of the characters’ comedy, Cassie is incredibly idiosyncratic, suffering from
choices. Cassie, Maxxi and Anwar are accepted by their friends and disordered eating, enduring unrequited love and coping up with
the narratives about these particular characters tend to show the her parents’ unrelenting and noisy sex life.
characters themselves questioning their choices and behaviours
rather than allowing other to do it for them. For example, in episode Auburn and Grady (2000) believe that representations of teenagers
two of series one, Cassie falsely believes that other people are telling on television, whether they are realistic or not, can reinforce young
her to eat when, in reality, she is imagining this. people’s isolation from the rest of society. This is evident in some
reviewers’ comments on the first episode. Lucy Mangan writing
If Skins deals with real issues, evident in the real world, then the for The Guardian said of the characters: “they’re as irritating as
question of realism has to be considered. Unusually for media real teenagers, I’ll give them that.” This suggests that teenagers
depictions of fictitious teenagers, the actors playing the young people are seen as somehow different to adults and behave in ways which
in Skins are teenagers themselves. The writing team had an average are alien to them. Representations that rely upon the usual
age of twenty two and there were teenage advisors on hand to offer stereotypes of teenagers can reinforce how other social groups
advice on the scripts. Whether this makes the representations realistic view young people and, according to Auburn and Grady, that could
though is questionable. Many reviewers commented upon the be potentially damaging.
realism of the series.
Skins and Ideology
Kathryn Flett in The Observer called the dialogue in the first episode Despite some development of typical teenage representations in
“convincingly authentic” and Patricia Wynn Davies in The Daily Skins, the portrayals are mainly conventional. A wide range of
Telegraph said the characters “seem like real Noughties teenagers”. social groups are depicted in Skins but the dominant ideology is
However, these reviewers were not the target audience of Skins and still upheld in the characterisation and narratives. In British society,
it is arguable that they would not know if the representations of the people with the most power, either material power in the form of
teenagers were realistic as they are not teenagers themselves. The money or symbolic power in the form of respect, are white, middle-
Skins forum on the Channel 4 website indicated that many members class, heterosexual, Christian, able-bodied men. This ideology is
of the target audience thought that aspects of the characters’ supported in Skins as Tony is the most powerful member of the
personalities were realistic but that they had been exaggerated for group; he is the most popular and the most successful character,
the purpose of entertainment and comedy. It is important to remember both academically and sexually. Tony’s middle-class values are
that the producers of Skins had never claimed they were trying to emphasised through his nuclear family, received pronunciation and
make a realistic teen drama and the vast majority of media texts rely his involvement with the choir at the local private school.
upon stereotypes to act as a narrative shortcut. Conversely, Jal, the black, female character, is from a dysfunctional
family. Even though she is also a gifted student like Tony, her
talents are not openly acknowledged or appreciated, especially by
her father who seems more interested in his latest young, white
girlfriend.

Activity
Choose a media text which is targeted at teenagers, such as a website or music magazine.
1. Are the usual stereotypes of teenagers evident in your text?
2. From your personal perspective, do you think the representation is realistic?
3. Are the teenagers made to appear ‘different’ to the adults?
4. Does the target audience alter how teenagers are represented?

Acknowledgements: This Media Studies Factsheet was researched and written by Helen McDonald
Curriculum Press. Bank House, 105 King Street, Wellington, TF1 1NU. Media Factsheets may be copied free of charge by teaching staff or students, provided that their school is a registered
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