Resolving tensions between residents and Goths; getting young people to contribute to evaluations; and when are you too old to become a youth worker. Tracie Trimmer-Platman has the answers.

Read: Workplace: Ask the expert - What's your problem?.

Hi Tracie, I was the student of yours who originally did the presentation on the Emo Riots in Mexico. What I think needs addressing is not only the issue itselt, this being the prospect of anti-alternative youth sub-cultures manifesting themselves in the form of riots coming to England. But why is there no forms of awareness being raised within schools? The abuse those within the alternative "scene" suffer, is not by any means new. It's odd that the goths the person speaks of are hassled so much, I lived in a rural area and there was never any thing like that. It is mostly in urban and suburban areas this is experienced. Myself, young people who are of alternative sub-cultures \(i.e. goths, emo, etc), youth workers and teachers in my area where the main divisions are based in music are all aware of who commits these crimes. We know what sub-culture they belong to, and I doubt people outside of our area would be shocked of who they were, however to penalise this behaviour would surely be an acceptance of the fact it's been going on for so long. This situation, at present is not unlike the Mods and Rockers, which as you know, also ended up in rioting. However with time, things evolve, such as the case of comparing those riots with the ones in Mexico, and drug use in the late 60's to now. If anything we should be grateful we are not in the same situation as Mexico by now.

 Hi Jade

I appreciate your comments and concerns. I cannot speak for awareness in schools, although my hunch would be that there is little awareness because, like most aspects of youth culture, the world of the Emo is not necessarily obvious in the classroom. The identifying features are hidden by curriculum content and uniforms. Hopefully more clued up teachers will raise the issues where possible and when necessary.

I have spoken to  workers in both urban and rural areas and I must admit the situation seems to be more tense and aggressive in inner cities, as you suggest. I understand your comparison between the Mods and Rockers rioting, although my sense is that this is rather different. The Mods and Rockers clash was more characteristic of gang infighting rather than the discrimination and personal attacks which Goths/Emos tend to experience. My view remains that challenging this behaviour is essential, as is any form of discrimination or alienation. 

I would hate to think of mexico-type riots taking place again anywhere, never mind in the UK and hopefully continuing the conversation as often as possible will raise enough awareness to prevent such an event. I wonder if this is an article topic for CYPNow? That would certainly encourage some major awareness raising. What do you think Editors?