“Segregating the Popular from the Unpopular” From School Talk: Gender and Adolescent Culture By D. Eder, (1995)

Introduction Research Question: What are the determinants of status hierarchy resulting in popularity vs. unpopularity among middle school students? Research Question: What are the determinants of status hierarchy resulting in popularity vs. unpopularity among middle school students? Researchers used participant observation Researchers used participant observation Elementary students popularity was based on who was liked best and there were few ways to gain visibility (i.e. sports) Elementary students popularity was based on who was liked best and there were few ways to gain visibility (i.e. sports) Middle School 6 th -8 th popular students were most visible because of their involvement in school activities Middle School 6 th -8 th popular students were most visible because of their involvement in school activities Race, Socioeconomic status, and gender became issues among students entering 6 th grade Race, Socioeconomic status, and gender became issues among students entering 6 th grade

Athletics Sports with the highest level of interest from the student body and surrounding community included boys football, wrestling, and basketball Sports with the highest level of interest from the student body and surrounding community included boys football, wrestling, and basketball Players identified with their teams by wearing uniforms to school to signify their status Players identified with their teams by wearing uniforms to school to signify their statusMale Woodview greatly encouraged male athletics by holding football rallies Woodview greatly encouraged male athletics by holding football rallies Coaches critical of female coaches Coaches critical of female coaches Faculty and administration support Faculty and administration supportFemale Low visibility of female athletics Low visibility of female athletics Never more than 25 attendees of games Never more than 25 attendees of games Cheerleading the most important female activity Cheerleading the most important female activity

Differing Views Social Ranking Male athletic ability very important to popularity (meritocracy) Male athletic ability very important to popularity (meritocracy) Friendship among girls determines popularity (cheerleaders) Friendship among girls determines popularity (cheerleaders) The basis for friendship among girls led to a reverse status hierarchy, where the girls on both the high end and the low end of the hierarchy were disliked (higher end girls considered “stuck up”). The basis for friendship among girls led to a reverse status hierarchy, where the girls on both the high end and the low end of the hierarchy were disliked (higher end girls considered “stuck up”). Girls more likely to be dissatisfied with their social ranking. Girls more likely to be dissatisfied with their social ranking.

Socioeconomic Class Lower-working class students sat on one side of cafeteria Lower-working class students sat on one side of cafeteria “Grit” used to describe low class students and/or deviants from social norms “Grit” used to describe low class students and/or deviants from social norms General unwillingness to associate with differing social classes General unwillingness to associate with differing social classes Low and high status students openly critical of “elitism” (unfair advantages) Low and high status students openly critical of “elitism” (unfair advantages) Fear of being ridiculed or mistreated by high status students important to low status students Fear of being ridiculed or mistreated by high status students important to low status students Acceptance of hierarchy based on social class, openly critical of others Acceptance of hierarchy based on social class, openly critical of others

Race Lack of diversity at Woodview made race relatively unimportant in determining popularity. Lack of diversity at Woodview made race relatively unimportant in determining popularity. African-Americans represented in all levels of hierarchy African-Americans represented in all levels of hierarchy The low-status students, all of European decent, commonly told racist jokes and targeted the higher-level African American students The low-status students, all of European decent, commonly told racist jokes and targeted the higher-level African American students

Low end of the hierarchy Perceived unattractiveness and atypical gender behavior and special ed Perceived unattractiveness and atypical gender behavior and special ed “Scapegoating” occurred, a few students at the very bottom (isolates), were almost more visible than the popular's “Scapegoating” occurred, a few students at the very bottom (isolates), were almost more visible than the popular's Homosexuality associated with social rejection, leading to homophobia among many students Homosexuality associated with social rejection, leading to homophobia among many students

Conclusions Middle school an important time for social status identification Middle school an important time for social status identification Schools role in creating competitive atmosphere Schools role in creating competitive atmosphere Reverse status ranking as a reaction to the popular/unpopular classification Reverse status ranking as a reaction to the popular/unpopular classification Strengths of the study Strengths of the study 1) researchers deeply involved in the middle school life style 2) explored the schools role in creating hierarchy 3) Reinterviews in high school (report increased opportunity to form connections) Weaknesses of the Study Weaknesses of the Study 1) Majority of school was of Caucasian, race issues not explored 2) relied on self reporting

Class Discussion Why are the male athletes popular but not the female athletes? What explanation is given in this reading, and what explanation would you add? Why are the male athletes popular but not the female athletes? What explanation is given in this reading, and what explanation would you add? What is the schools part within the popularity of students? What regulations are determinates of social ranking within the school? What is the schools part within the popularity of students? What regulations are determinates of social ranking within the school?