The Difference Between Punk And Emo

To mix up punk and emo is not to know emo or punk at all. In fact, if I am correct, the punks hate the emos. Although the two are very similar to an outsider, punks are much more extreme, much more aggressive, much more, well, punk than emos. Emos are more emotional, cutesy-er, more delicate and fragile than punk. Punk is much older and much more evolved than emo. Punk has a history, a reputation. Punks are also notable for their DIY-ethic, their political opinions, their popularization of the mohawk and for their involvement, if not creation, of Warped Tour, a popular event for emos during the summer. And while vastly different, emo is still definitely an offspring of punk.

Ahh, the mohawk!

The famed emo fringe, complete with a rose to show just how sensitive he is. He couldn't be more emo.

Punk girls usually aren't very feminine; in fact, punk girls tend to flee from femininity. Often, they are feminists.

Emo, on the other hand, is very feminine. And not just the girls.

Punks are generally people you wouldn't want to mess with.

In contrast, emos look like those kids you bullied in high school.

Another punk girl. Girls in punk were often associated with riot grrrl, a 1990s punk feminist movement.

Girls in emo, on the other hand, have generally been giving the role of either heartbreaker or muse, and emo is often criticized for this, along with the fact that there are very few females in emo bands.

A colorful punk rock couple. Note the buttons on the man's vest and the spiked collar the woman is wearing.

An emo couple. Note the boy's Fall Out Boy band t-shirt and the girl's red tipped hair.