Being Identified as a “Ned” is a Source of Pride for Middle-Class Teens

Researchers at Glasgow University are reporting that being identified as a “ned” or non-educated delinquent has become a source of pride for middle-class teenagers. The researchers surveyed 3,194 15-year-olds in Glasgow and found that there was an insignificant link between the so-called “ned” behavior and deprived upbringing.

The researchers reported that some 13% of youngsters from the affluent or middle-class families identified themselves with the label ned as compared to 22% of teens from working-class families. Around 17.4% of girls identified themselves as ned as compared with 12.7% boys.

“It appears that, regardless of social background or gender, a significant proportion of young people self-identify as 'neds', participate in the stereotypical behaviours associated with the label, such as anti-social behaviour and alcohol and drug abuse, and share a lack of interest in education,” the UKPA quoted Robert Young, of the MRC social and public health sciences unit at Glasgow university as saying.

The study details appear in the latest issue of British Sociological Association's journal Sociology.

Source-Medindia