I judged by appearance, that this group was
probably considered the good-looking kids table (a standard set primarily due to
having the latest haircut or wardrobe). This table along with the jock table
collectively formed the popular crowd. If a cafeteria aide had to yell a someone
for throwing food, it was from one of these tables. If there was a sudden out
bursts of laughter it was from one of these tables, and often from both
together. Even one girl from the jock table got up during lunch to walk around
and obtain signatures to nominate herself as a candidate for an up-comming
student election. Far off in the back of the cafeteria was another group. As a
matter of fact, I even had to relocate my position somewhat in order to observe
them better. This group was an all boy group. They were somewhat smaller in size
than the jock group, and dressed in clothing that was neither horrible or
forward. I suppose you could say that fashion didn't seem to be as vital to this
group as it did to the popular crowd. They were collectively talking about the
Star Wars trilogy, and laughed amongst themselves, and at a much lesser volume
than those mentioned earlier. At one point one of them opened up a text book and
motioned to his neighbor to do the same, and then compared answers. There was a
table of girls that also appeared to fit within this groups criteria. They were
not dressed in the fashion of the now and also were working on school work. They
were seated in the rear of the cafeteria as well. Interesting enough, neither
this group and it's apparent male counterparts socialized with one another
during the lunch period. When I later returned to the cafeteria during another
section of eighth grade lunch, I noted, much to my surprise, that groups with
similar styles occupied the very spots where these groups chose. The rest of the
cafeteria was inhabited by small groups of four or five, primarily consisting of
the average student, without any outstanding characteristics. And of course,
there were the kids that just sat alone. Observing the students that sat alone,
it was quite hard to figure out exactly why this was. As a young adult, I know
that I tend to choose friends that have similar values, interests and goals.
And, it can be said that the early adolescents I observed were doing a similar
action, but it appears that the level of discrimination is dramatically
exaggerated. A students interest goes past just interest and straight to a
direct reflection as to who they are as a person. And the image of the group is
more important than any single part.
The students I observed that were alone
were for the most part the ordinary kid. Some of the boys were small, some of
the girls were awkward looking, a few of the students were overweight and a few
students looked like maybe they had come from lower income households. I think
the main reasons these students were excluded is because of low self-esteem.
During adolescence, teenagers are overwhelmed with feelings and most of them
being confusion. Many are questioning their assets and flaws, and trying to sort
out who they are as a person and where they stand in the world as a whole. There
are endless pressures from parents, teachers, and piers. It is quite easy to see
how a low self-esteem can be developed. I think that the excluded students felt
either that they don't quite fit with anyone or that they are not good enough to
keep anyone's company. Early adolescents are particularly prone to conformity,
Because of this necessity to fit in, many become subjected to various peer
pressures. Pressures can be obvious, such as drinking or smoking in order to
prove yourself as cool, or they can take a more subtle form. For example, while
I was observing an eight grade lunch period, I noted two girls pushing another
girl from the back. At first glance it almost appeared to be a fight, then I
noticed that the two girls were laughing, and demanding the third girl (the one
being pushed) to just go talk to him, what's the big deal, don't be such a
geek!!! They were pushing her over to a boy standing outside of the cafeteria
door. This boy was also standing with friends and looking equally uncomfortable.
The girl who was being pushed was blatently against the idea, her face was red,
and I even headed her say several times, I really don't want to do this, I feel
like a jerk. Then she tried to bargain with her friends by saying, I'll talk to
him after Social class, I swear. But still the girls continued to drag her over
to this boy. Then came the words I was waiting to hear, You don't want to be the
only one at this dance without a date, only the dorky girls go to the spring
dance dateless! Eventually this girl did end up going over to the boy outside.
Another example of peer pressure I observed was within a group of boys. About
five or six boys were daring one boy to throw an apple at a wall, incidentally,
a cafeteria aide was sitting on a stool near-by the alleged wall. The boy who
was to be doing the throwing swore that, he would get caught, but after a small
desput he went along with the idea.
