Gothic, emo, etc.. Should we be afraid?

To stand out, to rebel, not to be like everyone else, some teenagers like to adopt a different style dress.
Today we see many Gothic or emos. You've certainly seen this kind of teenagers in the streets or you've seen on TV.
The Gothic, in the imagination of people are dressed in dark colors, mostly black, paint their room black, listen to music hard metal kind, life would be black too. They would think much about death and would feel badly about themselves.
The emos for schematically still have a large lock of hair, dyed black, which bars their face, rather they are dressed in black but with touches of bright color, they wear jeans "cigarette", they would tend to maim (as they say? "), they listen to hardcore music, they are more extroverted, exhibitionist limit, they tend to be depressive.

If you have a child who is or wants to be gothic or emo, should you be afraid?
I say, it depends ...
You must above all avoid reject outright your teen. Indeed, the adoption of this particular style is perhaps not as serious as that.
Adolescents often seek to differentiate themselves. They also like being part of a sort of community, allowing them to feel belonging to the same "family".
In fact, the key is to know if your teen wants to adopt only the Gothic style of dress or emos or their ideas.

In the first case, it is not so serious. Generally, this will only happen. You, too, in your younger days, you may have been hippie, punk, grunge or whatever. Every era has had its particular style.
Thus, if your child wears all black, painted his room black, do not panic immediately. Watch him. See if it does not contain himself, he does not see life in black. If he continues to hang out with friends, do not worry. However, stay vigilant ...

Otherwise, if the change in style accompanied by a profound change of character, a lockdown on him, do not steer away, because that would only widen the gap between your teenager and you. Take time to discuss with him, ask him why he thinks this way. Especially, do not reject. It will perhaps simply personify his discomfort this way. Stay constantly near him. Tell him that his way of being embarrassed and you do not seem normal. Show them that life is something else than mope endlessly. Try to prevent the retreat into his style, his tribe. I know it's not easy to do. Please tell him that you care for him.

Rest assured, most of the time, you will not have to worry. These days, the emos are flourishing in the streets is a phenomenon of imitation, mainly clothing. And often it stops there. It's just a passing fad that will disappear as it came. Often, the only published account.
Fortunately, "the clothes do not make the monk." A Gothic does not prejudice the dark thoughts. I also know a young secretary "gothic" who is very competent, helpful and nice ...
Beware of bias! Trust your child, do not let go, do not lose contact with him ... The discussion is essential!