Neds

Neds is a Scottish slang term referring to a young person, typically male, perceived as anti-social or delinquent, often from working-class urban neighborhoods. The term is pejorative and has been the subject of debate about its accuracy and its impact on youths. The origin of the term is uncertain; a frequently cited backronym is "non-educated delinquent," though many scholars view it as a stereotype rather than a formal category.

Ned culture is associated in popular culture with a distinctive style of dress (sportswear, Burberry check patterns, baseball caps, hoodies, trainers) and with behaviors commonly described in the media as petty crime or anti-social activity, though most individuals labeled as Neds do not engage in crime. The subculture has been linked to certain music scenes and social contexts in Scottish towns.

In the late 20th and early 21st centuries, the Ned label became widely discussed in Scotland, including in political and media discussions about youth unemployment, deprivation, and crime. The 2010 film NEDS by Peter Mullan dramatizes life in Glasgow in the 1980s and helped popularize the term outside academic circles.

Critics argue that the term oversimplifies a range of social issues and can stigmatize young people from disadvantaged backgrounds. Contemporary usage varies and the term may be less common today, with emphasis on addressing underlying causes rather than labeling individuals.

See also: youth subcultures, chav, yob, Scotland, social policy.