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For the Richard Linklater movie, see Slacker (movie)
The term slacker, in contemporary western culture, applies generally to high school, college, and young people who underachieve at school or work. The term was commonly used in the United States in World War I and World War II to describe men who were avoiding the military draft.
To other people, it may appear that slackers don't do very much actual work, schoolwork, or much of anything. However, individuals considered to be slackers may in fact be very active, though not always in activities that society deems to be most important, (like writing in a wikipedia instead of getting a real job that renders income). The term is very often associated with a stereotype of grunge fans, which is that of MTV watching Generation X types with dismissive sayings such as "whatever" and "never mind." It is often used as a stereotype for fans of alternative music in much the same way that the stereotypes of hippies were used for the '60s counterculture.
However nowadays slackers no longer watch or rarely watch MTV, with most of the shows and video clips shown not really appealing to the slacker stereotype.
Some people who are considered slackers believe that educational institutions such as high schools and colleges do not adequately prepare young people for the Real World. As a result, some may decide not to make an effort to get good grades in these institutions.
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