BBC Exclusive 1: Goths are middle class pseuds

Gilps · March 21, 2006

Upwardly gothic

By Denise Winterman

BBC News Magazine

A silly old tart, yesterday

Behind the black hair dye and white make-up goths are simply art lovers, who aspire to middle-class values, says a new study. Is that right?

The moment their teenage son or daughter dyes their hair black and starts getting creative with eyeliner can be a nightmare for parents. But a report suggests it should be a time for celebration.

Goths are likely to grow up to be doctors, lawyers or architects, the study by Sussex University says.

Them are refined and sensitive, keen on poetry and books, not big on drugs or anti-social behaviour. They are also likely to carry on being goths into their adult life.

They have an ability to express their feelings and are believers in romance rather than one-night stands, it says. In fact, the only things dark about them are their clothing and their sarcastic sense of humour.

"They won't like me saying it, but their lifestyle, unlike the punk scene, is a middle-class subculture,'' says Dunja Brill, who

carried out the study.

"They are usually intelligent youngsters who have rejected the idea that teenagers must fulfil certain criteria.''

But is that right? Will the pale faced, sullen-looking teenage goth next door end up being your back manager in ten years time? The Magazine headed to the gothic Mecca that is Camden Market to find out.

"Where I live it's usually the chavs who start all the trouble not the goths, so I think we are quite a peaceful lot," says Antoinette Drakes, 16.

"We just mind our own business and get on with what we like to do. But goths are like any other group, a lot depends on the individual.

"On the whole we are quite sensitive but you get some who aren't, who are just posers and are just on the pull. Some will end up being doctors and some will end up being unemployed. Goths are a mix of personalities, just like everyone else."

But Keeley Dale, 18, says the study is just putting another label on goths.

"It's always about labels in today's society and that exactly why I dress the way I do, I don't want to fit into other people's stereotypes," she says.

"So I'm not only a goth now, I'm also aspiring middle-class. What is that anyway? I don't want to be a doctor and read the Daily Telegraph, I want to be a writer and read whatever takes my fancy.

Threatening

"There are some things that I do recognise in this research, goths can be sensitive and aren't usually violent, but at the end of the day I think such things depend on the person, not the way they choose to dress."

Mia Joseph, 40, has been a goth since her early teens and says it is a way of life for her now. She runs a market stall specialising in gothic wear, leather and PVC.

"It's not about fitting in to a particular subculture, this is just my life. I'm beyond thinking of myself as a goth, I'm just me.

"There are characteristics in the study that I think are true, goths do tend to be peaceful and sensitive, interested in literature and it is a way of life for many that continues long into adulthood. Why that is middle class I don't know.

"I think people are a lot more accepting of us now. Years ago people found my piercing and tattoos threatening, now they are part of everyday life. A lot of people have their nose pierced or a tattoo.

"I have grannies who come up to me and say they wish they'd been able to dress the way I do when they were younger."

But there is one trait that seems to cross all teenage sub cultures, whatever they wear, whatever music they listen to and whatever a study says - and that is sex.

"Of course I want to fall in love, but I'm fully prepared to try out quite a few ladies to find the right one," says Dan Taylor, 18.

"I'm still a hormonally-charged teenager after all, as well as a goth."

Knox_Harrington · March 21, 2006

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