Apparel : the unspoken language of adolescence

Abstract

This is the result of a research carried out locally on a sample of one hundred respondents between the ages of 16 to 18, who attend two separate colleges. The main aim of this project was to underline the importance of clothing consumption among adolescents. The main research tool was a set of questionnaires. A quantitative approach was adopted for the pre set questions and a qualitative method was used for the open questions as to gain further insight into the adolescents ideas about consumption in clothing and the psychological and sociological factors that lure adolescents to spend most of their income on clothing. From recent literature, one can note that also Maltese adolescents show a particular urge to conform with peers. There seems to be a lack of education m this area both at school and at home. Consequently adolescents are faced with the need to conform with peers and the media around them. There is a minute sign of empowerment from significant others. This is the main role of the youth workers, to teach and empower adolescents about the pressures that are surrounding them. Once adolescents are aware about such pressures, they are capable of becoming aware of certain issues and thus raise questions. It is hoped that this research will help any person who is in direct contact with adolescents. That they too may empower adolescents and help them to become stronger individuals and not be slaves of conformity, enabling them to be themselves without external aids.