Rebellion of Four Wheels

Rebellion on Four Wheels

Social studies of modern teenagers reveal a new phenomenon of the 21st century - skateboarding. With every day the number of skateboarders in the US and around the world rapidly increases. They can be young; they can be older, but they all share the same interest: spending numerous hours on a wooden deck with four wheels. For many beginners, this hobby can turn into the whole new lifestyle. More than that, almost everyone who starts skateboarding is looking forward to this transformation. Since I have been practicing this activity for past two years, I am sure that I have the credibility to assume that skateboarding gains its amazing popularity because of several criteria and despite a few negative characteristics of this sport. Fashion and clothing styles of skateboarding attract the attention of almost every young man or woman; some sociologists define it as certain and unique "skateboarding" culture. Music related to this sport also has become a very powerful factor for attracting teenagers, but the most important reason why skateboarding is so popular is the adrenaline-filled thrill and danger that surrounds this activity. At the same time, it can push away some weak individuals; it also convinces concerned parents that a life of a skater is too dangerous for their offspring. However, danger fades away behind the rebellious lifestyle of a street skateboarder of the 21st century.

The rebellion in appearance is visible in almost every skater. It takes its roots in punk-rock culture of 1970's when messy hair, ripped jeans and baggy sweaters were popular among the so-called "doom generation". However, it has slightly transformed since then; today, comfort is the most important thing in the skateboarder's outfit. The same sense of comfort attracts hundreds of others who have little or no clue about extreme sports. Anyone can easily spot a guy or a girl wearing low-cut keds with flat sole, rather wide pants rolled up above the ankles along with an extra large sweatshirt finishing the picture. They know it is comfortable, and they do not care how it looks. This carefree attitude about clothing is still gaining its popularity, and skateboarders can be called "catalizers" of this movement.

This certain type of fashion is just a small part of the whole stream of habits and attitudes that is defined as the skateboarding culture. "I don't care what you all think of me" is the simple motto that unifies every skater's attitude towards the society. It eliminates problems of misunderstanding and hatred; it creates a wall of defense for every person who is tired of being pressured to live his or her life the way others do. Since there are so many teenagers who fall very deep into the generation gap, this attitude is very popular. Just like the skateboarding fashion, it originates in simple but powerful lyrics of old and modern punk-rock bands who call for rebellion against the rules of the society and for changes in traditions. It is obvious that a person, who likes punk-rock music, has been skating for at least a day in his or her life and vice versa.

People look at skateboarding one way or another, but it is always considered as a sport activity. Today, when a healthy lifestyle is common among people of all ages, everyone is trying to stick to it. Some people work out in gyms, others feel satisfied with jogging, but most of young men and women are usually looking for something unordinary and interesting at the same time. It is hardly necessary to say that skateboarding represents one of such activities. It is not yet recognized as an official sport but already claims hundreds of professional riders, about a dozen of magazines devoted to it, and about 7 million fans just in the US. "This sports involves a lot of movements, requires patience, perfect coordination, and balance; it develops cardiovascular system and improves health in general," thinks Professor Higgins from University of Montana (Higgins 12).

Of course, even golf can be dangerous. Needless to say that skateboarding falls into the category of one of the most dangerous sports; that is why it is extreme. Usually skaters use little or no protection at all; therefore, scratches, cuts, pulled muscles, and even broken bones are inevitable threats that skateboarders have to face. A lot of teenagers quit after they experience some sort of major injury; furthermore, a lot of parents simply do not want to see their kids hurt, and they prohibit them to skate. But the whole idea of skating is rotating around physical pain and the process of overcoming it. Skateboarding builds strong character, muscles and nerves; only the weak ones quit. Who want to admit that he or she is unable to continue to skateboard after dealing with a pulled muscle? Most of teenagers do not, and they never quit.

Not only is skateboarding considered dangerous, it is also quite destructive towards the environment. Skateboarders love to grind. Grind is the process of applying pressure and sliding on steel trucks on a surface. The force of friction is usually so hard that it can damage even reinforced steel rails and granite blocks. Since almost any street obstacle is suitable for skateboarding, local "grind kings" do not hesitate to try their skills practically anywhere. Of course, they do leave damage wherever they skate. This is the main reason why skateboarding is sometimes called "the most destructive extreme activity ever." (Stailer 3) However, since skating is all about being rebellious, teenagers do not really care about trails of crushed concrete and bended handrails that are left behind.

In conclusion, I have to mention the financial aspects of skateboarding. So far, it is the cheapest extreme activity compared to all others; it has its advantages and a few disadvantages; it involves hard work, patience, sweat and tears, but in the end it is always rewarding. It builds friendship among people who practice it; it keeps parents aware of what their kids are doing. Kelly O'Brien, a mother of a 14-year-old skateboarder is pleased to know that her son did not spend his weekly allowance on drugs; he got a new skateboard instead ("the Bucket" 14). In my opinion, skateboarding will gain the peak of its popularity in the next 10 years, and there is nothing that can stop this process.

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Эта статейка - одно из моих заданий по английскому (English 102 - Composition II). Перед тобой, дружок, откорректированная версия. За эту статью я получил отличную оценку.

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