Every generation has had their very own boy band, it all began with the Beatles in the 1960's. Most would like to disagree that the Beatles were in fact a boy band, but they were the first to have thousands of women fainting and screaming in their presence. Then there was the Monkees, the Beach Boys, the Bay City Rollers, Boyz to Men, Take That, Boyzone, Westlife, Five... the list is endless. One Direction are the new generation's boy band and people need to stop giving them a hard time. Here's why.

1. They're only young!

Some of the band are barely in their 20's, one is still a teenager, we're pretty sure that most of the boy bands on the list above had barely discovered who they were at that age.

2. Everyone has to start somewhere.

Yes, they may have started on a show which is completely contrived, but the level of fame they have achieved and their fan following shows that they are more than just a flash in the pan.

3. Don't be a pop music snob!

If you don't like it, don't listen to it but everyone loves a good pop tune. Pop has been around for years and is not going anywhere...

4. The tunes.

This. If you're not bopping to this, then there must be something wrong.

5. You can't blame them for making use of their success.

Here's an opportunity to be really rich, have girls falling all over you, travel the world, have number one records,meet some celebrities and win some awards. No thanks, we're good.

6. Honestly, there are worse things we could be listening to...

They are so completely inoffensive unlike some of the other music out there, it's kind of hard to understand how they get everyone in such a tizzy.

7. They are pretty adorable.

Aw, just look at them.

8. Yes, they can sing.

No, they don't write their own tracks. But then again, neither did Frank Sinatra.

9. They are just having fun...

Can we just go on tour with them? It seems like fun.