Over the generations, the music culture has been the catalyst for the ever-changing face of society. From the ‘50s and it Rockabilly culture to the ‘80s Madonna-dominated underwear as outerwear look, it seems that not only the fashion sense and political views of each music sub-culture has changed with the times, but also the extremity in which these viewpoints are demonstrated.

Earlier this year, Australia was shaken by the tragic news of the deaths of two teenage girls found hung in Victorian bushland, in what police described as a suicide pact. The two girls disappeared on April 15 - their bodies were found a week later.

After the discovery of several dark messages and “odes to suicide” on both of the girls Myspace pages, an inquiry into the joint suicide began to turn up evidence that became quite controversial. There was considerable speculation around the tendencies of the “Emo” subculture and its role in the tragic death of these two girls, through its music and stereotypical attitudes of those that embrace emo.

Other strong opinions portrayed in the media (which, in general, is represented by people that simply do not belong or really understand the current generation) suggested that teenagers are influenced to possible extreme acts as a result of merely listening to a style of music and embracing that music style’s subculture.

Sounds absurd to think that some deep, dark songs; the adopting of dark clothing; a particular hair style, and the attitude of that sub-culture is going to lead to you doing something so extraordinarily outside of your personality. But does the adoption of a music genre and culture have such a profound impact and influence? Have the teenagers of this generation gone too far just to get their voices heard and actions noticed?

Bellaboo took to the streets and asked teens what they think of the whole emo culture and discussion:

BB: What do you describe an “emo” as?
Vicky: I think emo people are people who wear darkish clothes and makeup and listen to bands like the Used and stuff

BB: Do you think emo’s are generally self-destructive?
Elaine: I never even knew emo people were stereotypically self destructive… I thought just depressed people, and people who need attention were.

BB: Do you think people who are perceived as “outcast” become emo?
Liz: Um… not really. I have a few people in my group who listen to emo music and all that… they never act all depressed and left out and stuff. I just think people label other people as emo if they’re just different… that’s all.

Sarah: You must have seen or heard about the two girls in Vic that suicided. Do you think it has anything to do with them being classed as emo?
Isobell: Actually, I had a family member commit suicide. You never even know when it’s going to happen so when these people (emos) talk about it all the time, I think it’s just for attention. I think those girls were in need of help. I doubt it had anything to do with their dress sense and music taste.

Sarah: Do you think the whole emo scene is overrated?
Jacinta: I just think people judge too much. Just because I wear a certain type of clothing and listen to a certain type of music, doesn’t mean I am going to do what everyone else does that has the same taste as me. People are different no matter what they look like or like. I mean, I listen to Tupac, that doesn’t mean I’m going to be a gangsta and join some gang!

So, there you have it – teens’ perspective of emo culture is vastly different to that of the media. Not surprising really. Maybe those in the media should cast their minds back to the days when they donned fingerless gloves, wore puffy shirts and emulated the likes of their culture’s music influences. Just because they dressed like that, adopted the attitudes of their generation’s influences, it didn’t lead them to acting out lyrics of the songs they listened to or morphing into their icons. Teens, in every generation, are trying to figure themselves out and part of that process is a desperate need to fit in. We turn to music as an escape and a means of fitting in. It’s not sinister, it’s not secretive – it is simply the rite of passage of teens of every generation.