Essay about School Cliques - 988 Words

School Cliques The sounds of laughter and excitement ring throughout the playground on a bright, sunny, typical day for elementary school students-classes, recess, and hurt feelings from the â€Å"popular† girls in the class, because they called another fellow student’s clothes ugly. What gives these girls the privilege to destroy another person’s feelings and self esteem belongs to one word: cliques. This word can bring fun, joy, and happiness, or sadness, low self esteem, and depression in students of all ages. A clique is a formation of people, sort of like an army, a leader, and followers. The problem with cliques is that they promote fun and excitement when deep down it also destroys the followers and the bystanders. A clique†¦show more content†¦The clique members live with constant tension, not sure if their own status is secure, and they are at risk for what an Arlington psychologist and author Michael Thompson calls collective group power: â€Å"Thereâ €™s a diminished sense of moral responsibility [in cliques]. You feel less sense of individual accountability† (Meltz 8). With all of this inside of the clique, there has to be something on the outside. Outside of the clique there is the victims and bystanders; the victims are the ones who are teased and isolated they are at a risk for lowered self-esteem, poor school performance, depression, isolation, and eating disorders (Meltz 8). The bystanders are not part of the clique, but they tend to harbor guilt for standing by when a clique victimizes a classmate; and they worry all the time that they could be next (Meltz 8). All of this pressure about belonging to the popular group is put on children in grade school, but studies show that even in preschool, cliques are forming too. Michael Thompson’s newest book entitled Best Friends, Worst Enemies, Understanding the Social Lives of Children, tells how children begin to group themselves exclusively as early as preschool and kindergarten. At recess, a few decide they are a club and only certain kids can join. At this stage of development, though, they can’t sustain clique-like behavior; tomorrow, some kids will have forgotten aboutShow MoreRelatedHigh School Cliques896 Words   |  4 PagesCliques in Schools High school has always been a tough time for most teenagers. It is a time when classes are harder, schedules are tighter and most students are twice as mean. High school â€Å"marks a time of extensive and sometimes rapid growth for adolescents† (Clique Formation). 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These days included having lunch with friends, and gossiping in the hallways between classes. Whatever was done, it was usually done with a friend or a group of friends. Most of these groups can be considered cliques. Cliques are groups where there is some kind of commonRead MoreThe Breakfast Club Vs. Perks Of Being A Wallflower1422 Words   |  6 PagesBreakfast Club vs. The Perks of Being a Wallflower In high school, social hierarchy is typically determined by perceived popularity. Adolescents experience many emotional, biological and cognitive changes during this time. Teenagers struggle with their identity as social acceptance becomes an increasingly important factor in their lives. Cliques are formed in high school as a representation of a small group of people with common interests. Cliques are joined mostly by girls because it gives them a senseRead MoreEffect of Fashion on Teenagers848 Words   |  4 Pageshave just shown you, are four examples of common stereotypes that can be found in every high school. Nerds, Emos, Plastics or populars, and Gangstas. As humans, we are drawn to people who are like us... as a result of this, you end up with little groups called cliques. The word clique originated from the French language, and its literal translation is together. People in the cliques are bound to each other by what they have in common. Things like music tastes, opinionsRead MoreLabeling Essay Sociology1979 Words   |  8 Pagesjudgments. When it comes to school, nobody wants to be labeled the school nerd, slut, or anything negative. People only want to be labeled positively, something that gives them perks in school and applies to their own self-interest. The Peer Power: Clique Dynamics Among School Children written by Patricia A. 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