PSA: Goths are nice boys and girls

And they're gonna be all right. Look through all the linked articles - while it does seem that, yes, "goth" kids have a higher tendency towards self harm and suicide, such behaviors often occur before they got involved with goth, leading to a possible conclusion that the gothic subculture can be a kind of "safe space" for teenagers (and older people) who don't fit in tidily at work/school/wherever.

Subcultures as safety nets? Who knew? :P

Anecdotes in all the articles support my own perception that goths can be wonderfully thoughtful and witty and more than willing/able to make fun of themselves - hell, Voltaire has made a career out of it.

One of the linked articles further suggests that goths are as or more likely than "ordinary" people to be upwardly mobile/have career success, "So make sure you're nice to that mysterious, black clad teen next door, one of these days he just might be stitching up your wound or refinancing your mortgage."

In short, the kids are ok. Really. Just let them put on their black lipstick and leave them alone about it :P

linkage

Y'all gotta read misia, if you don't already - she gets the good shit. Like this Compari ad that will almost certainly never reach U.S. screens but is... curiously titillating. Tell me if you spot the plot before they give it away ;)