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 Cliques, clans, groups, hordes, etc. Whatever title is placed upon them, the groups people align themselves and others with are as high school as pon-poms and cheerleaders. The classification of people has been a prominent fixture throughout history, and its reaches have not failed to play a part in the American culture.
There is no official criteria for classification, but the existence of certain social groups is a well accepted concept. "Jocks, preps, hicks, stoners, those sort of groups [ are easily recognizable in high school]," said junior Lonnie Smith.
Though there are apparent social groups, the reasoning behind their formations are not as easily defined. "It has to do with dress, money, and attitude," said sophomore Renee Morgan. Trevor Wheeler, a junior, believes ". . . it has to with how we are raised, it reflects home life. Groups form because we have grown up with certain people." Smith offers a different reason. "They just happen, people hang out with people with the same interests, so groups form."
Morgan believes that a hierarchy does exist amongst the social groups. "Some groups find others higher or lower, but in reality they're not." Senior Bob Morrison agrees. "There is a hierarchy, and do you notice how the dumbest people are always at the top?"
An interesting fact is that the majority of those interviewed do not consider themselves to be in a certain group, but they are quick to express disdain towards others. "I don't like hicks, I don't like their mentality and the way they act.", said Wheeler.
Smith, who does identify himself as a "stoner", expresses similar feelings. "I hate nerds. They hang out in the library with their magic cards, and they make a lot of noise." But Smith doesn't reserve dislike for any certain group. "Anyone from any group can be stupid."
"The reason they don't get along is because they won't accept other peoples' point of view," said sophomore P.J. Reynolds.
However, there will always be those who can transcend class divisions. "Roamers, they are more secure. Whatever group they are in doesn't matter. They know who they are," said Morgan.
Perhaps the most important question to be posed is what motivates people to align with certain people and distinguish themselves from others. It seems to stem from psychological needs. "They [people] do it to fit in, to feel comfortable. You know you have someone there. It's an easy way to get friends," said Wheeler. Reynolds echoed a similar thought. "Everyone needs to fit in, everyone needs to be accepted. That can only be found in groups." Junior David Sund said it provides ". . . a sense of belonging. Everyone wants a friend."
But Sund also went on to provide a more natural suggestion. "It's animal instinct. They have flocks and herds, most animals exist in groups."
Distinctions between groups appears to be a deep-seeded theory, but the hostility between them does not seem to be prominent enough to warrant great concern. But then again, that's what they said about Lenin and the Bolsheviks.
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