NationStates Jolt Archive

ok. This is the only message board where people are actually active, so Im gonna ask the question here. I was just wonderinh what was behind gothic people. (aka-spikey things, black, and hanging out in "clans" of sorts). I know it may be because of depression or someting, but wouldn't it make more sense to try to get out of the depressive state then dwell or even sink back into it? This is just what I know, and it IS NOT meant to be offensive, so don't flame me, k? Just trying to understand people better. Thanks if you answer!

the goths sacked rome

http://img50.exs.cx/img50/9277/gothssackrome4up.jpg

I mean the "new", if you will, goths.

ok. This is the only message board where people are actually active, so Im gonna ask the question here. I was just wonderinh what was behind gothic people. (aka-spikey things, black, and hanging out in "clans" of sorts). I know it may be because of depression or someting, but wouldn't it make more sense to try to get out of the depressive state then dwell or even sink back into it? This is just what I know, and it IS NOT meant to be offensive, so don't flame me, k? Just trying to understand people better. Thanks if you answer!
i'm not a goth, but i would guess it is something to do with depression - for some. for others, its just cos they think it's cool. or both.
when you're down its nice to seek comfort and solidarity from those who feel the same way, especially when no-one else will listen. i see the allure of goths...

Goth is a fashion that branched off from the punk scene in the latter part of the 70s. It peaked in the early 80s and makes resurgences in popularity on occasion. It has nothing to do with being depressed. It's just a fashion, just like anything else. Goths aren't usually any more depressed than any average teen, except when face to face with mainstream MTV culture.

Thanks for the answers! Now for the part 2 of my question. I'm a freshman in high school, and every goth in my school is, in some way, shape, or form, depressed. And most of them do that "cutting" thing, which is kind of weird. Can anyone tell me about that?

The basic premise behind cutting is that they are using physical pain to distract themselves from their emotional pain. Some may view this as masochistic, but I think it has more to do with introducing a pain that is easier to cope with and manage. That, and the body tends to release endorphins when injured to counteract pain and shock. Endorphins also help on an emotional level, hence the cutting actually does take away the emotional pain to some degree.

Many cutters, however, are simply trying to garner attention. These are the ones that "show off" their cuts, making them readily visible to anyone who sneaks a peek. Most chronic cutters tend to hide the marks with long sleeves and other concealing clothing.

The fact that they're goth and cutting themselves tends to lead me to believe that they're poseurs. They're dressing that way and cutting themselves for the attention and because they think that's how they should act since they're "goth." This is only my opinion, however, as I haven't met any of the kids your speaking of personally.

I was involved with the goths in my high school, and although I don't quite fit the mold myself, I know a bit about it all.

I don't know about other places, but at my school, none of the goths I knew were doing it out of depression. They simply decided they liked the fashion and the music and the books and all. Oddly enough, I find that others descriptions of goths without fail describe them as depressed, as per your second question, and I am beginning to wonder whether my school was in the minority for the goth sublculture in the area not being related to depression.

Thanks for the answers! Now for the part 2 of my question. I'm a freshman in high school, and every goth in my school is, in some way, shape, or form, depressed. And most of them do that "cutting" thing, which is kind of weird. Can anyone tell me about that?
I can't really answer this one well. As I said, none of my acquaintences that were goth had much wrong with them in terms of depression. There was some interest in pain, but not out of depression, they interested in BDSM. But based on other's descriptions, it would seem either my school was in the minority, or people are only seeing what they want to see.

Either way here, I'm a bit perplexed. I am inclined to agree with the post before mine, that they may be doing it simply for attention. I have known chronic cutters before, and they would make sure that not a single person outside of their closest ring of relationships knew anything about their problem.

The basic premise behind cutting is that they are using physical pain to distract themselves from their emotional pain. Some may view this as masochistic, but I think it has more to do with introducing a pain that is easier to cope with and manage. That, and the body tends to release endorphins when injured to counteract pain and shock. Endorphins also help on an emotional level, hence the cutting actually does take away the emotional pain to some degree.

Many cutters, however, are simply trying to garner attention. These are the ones that "show off" their cuts, making them readily visible to anyone who sneaks a peek. Most chronic cutters tend to hide the marks with long sleeves and other concealing clothing.

The fact that they're goth and cutting themselves tends to lead me to believe that they're poseurs. They're dressing that way and cutting themselves for the attention and because they think that's how they should act since they're "goth." This is only my opinion, however, as I haven't met any of the kids your speaking of personally.

Hmmm. Perhaps it's just in my school then. Well, thats basically all the questions I have. Thanks for the answers people!

Read this article. It is supposed to define what goth really is, and to me a lot of what the person is saying made sense.

http://blood-dance.net/goth/grant.html