| You cannot read this report and make the assumption we are fat, drunken, pot-heads because we're not. |
A recent report claims British teenagers are among the most obese, hard drinking and heavily into drugs in the world. Do young people agree? Children's Express journalists were invited to respond to the report:
"These statistics are shocking, anyone reading this report is going to come away with the image of thousands of 15-year-old girls across the UK lounging around in front of the television, eating, smoking weed and drinking Bacardi Breezers," said Samir Pasha, 15, from London.
A Muslim, Samir says he has never tried alcohol but says it is quite common among teenage girls and boys.
"Of course some teenage girls will fit into one or more of these categories, but there's no way you can just say all will. Reports like this just lead to people stereotyping teenage girls." Samir says a lot of underage women drink because of peer pressure.
He says it can be hard to say no, particularly at a birthday party where it looks like everyone's having a good time.
"I imagine young people probably take drugs to start with for the same reasons that they start drinking. It's all about image and fitting in.
But this kind of behaviour hardly means we're turning into a nation of flabby, drug smoking teenagers. Isn't it really just young people hanging out with mates and exploring adulthood? Didn't most adults go through this themselves?"
Ella Parry-Davis knows the statistics reinforce the stereotypes about modern teenage girls - and she isn't happy about it. She said: "You cannot read this report and make the assumption that we are fat, drunken pot-heads. Because the truth is we're not. We are trying to be independent-thinking, intelligent women; the kind of young people adults would prefer to be reading about in statistics."
Ella, 15, who goes to school in London, admits some young women are far from angels but believes some wayward behaviour doesn't stop them from being good citizens. "Many 15-year-olds do drink and smoke weed. But a lot are bright, the next generation of leaders. Where are the statistics showing this?"
"Some girls do go out and do what you expect them do: drink, take drugs, and probably some of the other things you'd associate with antisocial teenage behaviour," she added.
"But they're also doing well at school, have okay relationships with their parents and friends and they're doing creative and constructive things." Ella wants adults to treat her and others with less hysteria.
About the team
This story was produced by Ella Parry Davis 15 and Samir Pasha 15. It was published by the Daily Express.
