High school students frequently experience the need to conform to specific cliques, characterized by shared interests. Consequently, many students may feel excluded and isolated during their time at school. Cliques can manifest themselves throughout the day, including class transitions, lunchtime, and after-school activities. Several factors contribute to the formation of these high school cliques.
The fear of surviving alone in high school is a primary concern for numerous students who struggle to make friends; this is one illustration of the reasons cliques are created. Cliques are formed by students in order to establish their identity and gain acceptance. Students always seek their identity, and one approach to achieving that is by selecting a group of students who share the same identity. Teenagers enjoy exploring and taking risks, and by forming cliques, particularly with popular groups, they develop a sense of power. Cliques are also formed due to peer pressure.
Teenagers tend to feel secure with individuals they admire, resulting in the formation of various cliques in high school. Athletes, commonly referred to as jocks, typically gather together in high school. This group is interested in sports, dating, and personal appearance. The guys in this clique often attract a lot of attention from girls. Furthermore, jocks often display a sense of superiority and may engage in bullying or picking on students who are not part of their clique.
The students in this group are portrayed as the most popular kids in school and many others become jealous of them. Another clique formed by high school students are the nerds or geeks. The individuals that comprise this group are interested in learning, computers, and video games. They tend to excel academically and have high intelligence. Most nerds are also part of the school band. This group is commonly known as the least popular in the school. Consequently, they face more bullying than any other cliques, especially from the jocks.
The misfits, also known as the emo group, are composed of introverted students who prefer dressing in dark colors. They have a shared passion for loud music, skateboarding, and art. Their distinctive appearance differentiates them from other groups due to their unique style: dyed black hair, tight t-shirts, and skinny jeans. However, being part of a clique during high school can bring various drawbacks as it often leads students to make unwise choices and decisions.
Participating in a high school clique can bring about both positive and negative outcomes. While it may heighten the chances of involvement in risky behaviors like pregnancy or drug use, it can also foster envy among less popular peers. Conversely, being part of a clique offers numerous benefits such as enhanced social ease and increased self-assurance. Additionally, individuals who are part of a clique are less prone to bullying during their high school tenure.
Being in a clique brings numerous benefits, including the support of a large group of friends, which provides security and makes navigating high school easier. However, cliques can also cause unnecessary conflicts and drama. Despite this, they play a significant role in high school by fostering a sense of belonging among students and exerting considerable influence on every student.
