Why Do Teenagers Think It Is Not Cool to Be Smart?

The ̶0;cool versus smart̶1; dichotomy isn̵7;t a new concept for modern teenage life. Movies have long played up stereotypes pitting smart, geeky teens against popular high school classmates. Although not all teens accept these stereotypes, it̵7;s true that some teenagers might believe that they must choose between coolness and intellect. Examining some of the underlying concerns with these choices can help parents steer their teens in the right direction.

  1. Misconceptions

    • In reality, many teens don̵7;t struggle to accept that it̵7;s possible to be both cool and smart. In a Frameworks Institute study, teens ranked ̶0;being a good student̶1; as a 7.9 on a 1 to 10 scale of importance. Additionally, 84 percent planned to attend college. Following the election of Barack Obama, ̶0;the Obama effect̶1; encouraged many black students, and other students, to embrace their intellectual prowess and take pride in academic achievement, according to the "Boston Globe."

    Friends

    • Some teenagers think it̵7;s not cool to be smart because their friends (or, the popular kids at school) don̵7;t prioritize working hard at school and earning good grades. Teens who feel pressured to fit in might downplay academic achievements, or intentionally perform poorly to avoid attracting negative attention from peers, according to Marguerite Rucker, an elementary school teacher in California, in a Teaching Tolerance article, ̶0;Winning the Battle of Smart vs. Cool.̶1; Being singled out and praised by adults for high academic achievement might result in teasing, so teens fearing peer reaction might attempt to fly under the radar instead.

    Gender Expectations

    • The same philosophy could be at work when it comes to attracting romantic partners, too. In addition to impressing friends, teens also want to impress potential partners with their social clout. Gender expectations can reinforce stereotypes about academic areas where teen boys and teen girls are expected to excel. Teen girls may be quieter in math and science classes, while a male teenager might downplay his passion for Elizabethan love sonnets to avoid ridicule. It might be cooler to feign ineptitude in certain subjects than others.

    Cultural Expectations

    • Teens from different cultures, especially nonwhite cultures, might withdraw from academic achievement to avoid being ostracized. Higher grade-point averages can mean lower popularity levels. Blacks and Latinos, especially, may be accused of ̶0;acting white̶1; when they succeed academically, according to ̶0;Smart vs. Cool: Culture, Race and Ethnicity in Silicon Valley Schools," a 2008 article that ran in the "San Jose Mercury News."

    Parental Perceptions

    • Parents might examine their own perceptions when determining how their teenagers are affected by the ̶0;cool versus smart̶1; debate. Setting low expectations at home for grades and academic success could be sending the wrong message; so could using language (even jokingly) that denigrates individuals known for their intellect. If parents make self-indulgent references to their own intellectual ineptitude, teens might read this as downplaying the value of academic achievement in favor of athletic prowess, beauty or coolness.

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