Adapting to Teen Culture

The importance of "correct'' clothing invades almost all areas of adolescent life. Research shows that adolescents feel self-acceptance, group members, and popularity are determined by the appropriateness and attractiveness of clothing.1 Clothing may also reflect feelings of self-worth or insecurity or be used as a means of coping with environmental situations.2 Teenage boys and girls alike spend a significant portion of their discretionary income on clothing and are increasingly independent of others when making clothing purchase decisions.3

Researchers at Washington State University recently developed and tested a 4-H manual and leader guide for improving fashion and consumer knowledge among junior high schools students.4 Due to project time constraints, the manual was tested in six rural and seven junior high school home economics classrooms. The manual is even more appropriate as a 4-H Club project and a revised manual will be tested in this setting.5

Statistical analysis of pre- and post-test data found the manual was effective in increasing students' fashion awareness and consumer knowledge. In addition, more than 80% of the students evaluated the manual and activities favorably. Teachers responded favorably to the manual (97%) and the activities (90%).

Several of the more important findings relate to materials development. Students had great enthusiasm for learning about fashion, but were sensitive to terminology, writing level, and writing style. Although the manual tested at the 6th grade level, teachers still believed much of the text wasn't well-understood. Students wanted less text and more visual information and they resisted learning new terminology.

Students were also sensitive to graphics. They reacted negatively if figures appeared too young, too old, or clothes weren't currently in fashion. Interviews with teachers revealed that poorly drawn visual elements often caused students to ignore the accompanying text. Activities that were overly complicated, required difficult- to-obtain materials, or asked students to employ skills about which they were self-conscious, were least successful. Activities allowing the student some outlet for creativity, were considered "fun," or exploited an existing skill were well-received.

While the test schools didn't include large minority populations, there was some evidence blacks, Asian Americans, and Hispanics felt the manual gave insufficient attention to cultural differences in clothing styles. Also, fashions considered to be "totally radical" at one high school were "nerdy" in a school just a few miles away. Hot styles in the Fall may have disappeared by Spring and short-lived "fads" were commonplace.

This evaluation showed it's not enough to do a good job of covering the relevant topics in 4-H clothing materials. Successful development and delivery of information to junior high students demands fresh, new approaches to visual and written communication, sensitivity to local and cultural differences, and an understanding of how adolescent learning styles have changed in recent years. Current and future 4-H project guides in clothing and in other subject areas should be reviewed with these principles in mind.

1. A. M. Creekmore, "Clothing and Personal Attractiveness of Adolescents Related to Conformity, to Clothing Mode, Peer Acceptance, and Leadership Potential," Home Economics Research Journal, VIII (No. 3, 1980), 203-15.

2. M. M. Sweeney and P. Zionts, "The Second Skin: Perceptions of Disturbed and Nondisturbed Early Adolescents on Clothing, Self -Concept, and Body Image," Adolescence, XXVI (No. 94, 1989), 411- 20.

3. A. W. Koester and J. K. May, "Profiles of Adolescents' Clothing Practices: Purchase, Daily Selection, and Care," Adolescence, XX (No. 77, 1985), 98-113.

4. Elaine T. Brown, "An Evaluation of the Impact of a Contemporary 4-H Clothing Project on Fashion and Consumer Awareness in the Junior High School" (Master's thesis, Washington State University, Pullman, 1990).

5. Copies of the manual may be obtained by writing: Department of Apparel, Merchandising, and Interior Design, Washington State University, Pullman, WA 99164-2020.