Youth Culture

6 Pages 1568 Words

Youth Culture

With respect to youth culture, public schooling today involves developing a school community. Peer groups play an important role in this. According to Alderman (2000), they can influence the motivation and learning of students. This influence can be positive or negative.
Most students experience a “sense of school membership.” This occurs when a student feels accepted, respected, included, and supported in the school (Alderman, 2000). As a student feels accepted or a sense of belonging, they will adopt the goals and values of the school. Not feeling accepted can lead to students rejecting the school’s goals, resulting in skipping classes or dropping out of school altogether.
According to Alderman (2000), there are four factors that establish social bonds to a school:
o Attachment- The student has an emotional tie with adults/peers in school.
o Commitment- Hope for the future that leads to achieving goals in school.
o Involvement- Involvement in academic and nonacademic activities.
o Belief- Student’s belief that an education is important.
At the same time, children want to be accepted by their peers. School is a place for them to be with their friends. If their friends feel a sense of school membership odds are that they will, too (DeMarrais and LeCompte, 1999). Finally, children today have to deal with many other factors outside of school that influence them. These factors range from violence, poverty, media outlets, and family structures (DeMarrais and LeCompte, 1999).
There are many sociopolitical and historical forces that have shaped schools with respect to youth culture. Major events have caused schools to develop and change. According to DeMarrais and LeCompte (1999), today’s youth disagree with many of the beliefs and values of adults. This is believed to be due to the limited amount of time spent with the adults in a family community.
Schooling in America has changed dram...