Representation in Media

'Punk rockers' are typically represented in the media as being extremely anti-establishment and rebellious, they are presented as being loud mouthed villains often racist in many cases and seem to only exist within the limits of the underground world. Other representations show them as graffiti vandals, skaters, bullies and being unemployed squatters. They are often associated with having colourful hair, typically mowhawks or spikes, torn clothing with chains hanging from studded jeans and having many piercings.

Typically punk rockers are presented negatively by the media, they are often associated with being the antagonist when represented in films and often as rioters or violent protestors on the news. The various sub genres of Punk often become mixed in the media and the stigma associated with certain groups is cast upon the others to create an overall negative representation of the genres and the fans itself. While promoting extensively anti-racism campaigns some punks still hold white supremacy views, its this minority that causes the stereotyping to be applied across the whole genre. Substance abuse seems to be very prevalent in their exposure via the media, often ending in vandalism or overdosing, this behaviour was promoted especially by early punk bands like the Sex Pistols.

These have created a negative stereotype associated with 'Punk Rockers', but in recent times a more positive representation of punk rockers has become slightly more prevalent in the media, but overall there seems to be a scarcity of representation of Punk rockers in the media in recent days.  This lack of representation creates almost a sense of exclusivity amongst the social group, and rather than the old stereotype of all punk rockers being underground as such in reality this is only a minority, furthermore the mystery and misdirection and misinforming negative stereotypes cast over the group creates further a sense of uniqueness and mystery which can be very appealing to many punk rockers, to be part of this mysterious social group.

With regards to direct targeting of punk rockers from the likes of album art or the music artists themselves they typically avoid all the negative elements associated with much of the genre, the stereotypes of being only violent protestors, vandals and such are typically not used but rather the elements such as spray paint graffiti, political references and such may be present when appealing to the audience as many share these cultural interests and ideals, yet when these are presented they are done with the interest of appealing to the target audience not typically with the interest to upset or target others negatively.

Punk Rockers when confronted with negative representation of their social group, ideals or cultural interests in the media (stereotypes and such) in media typically avoid the negativity presented to them. When represented positively in the media, many punk rockers tend to show their support and approval, this may be in various ways from the purchasing of CD's, downloads, mechanise, live concerts etc.