For both boys and girls, a number of factors contribute to social success with peers. Young people are very much aware of these factors, and they work at enhancing their strengths and minimizing their weaknesses. Good looks and an acceptable appearance have been important contributing factors to success in the youth culture for both boys and girls, but more conspicuously for girls. She is constantly wondering and worrying about her weight, complexion, and hair-impressions seem so important. These are all common problems and are, therefore, discussed-all helping or trying to help in the "misery".
Clothes were very important to the high school girl and discussed
very often. This topic was always interesting because clothes were
an important means of prestige. They serve a psychological need-
to feel you were a part of the gang or crowd. This was done by
dressing as the majority of kids did. It was impossible for me as a
high school student in a small town to consider any phase of my
high school career without first considering what my girlfriends
would think and say regarding everything I did. It was of utmost
importance to me that whatever I did would be acceptable to my
circle of friends.
If the girl is rejected by her peers she often develops attitudes of
inadequacy and insecurity. She may have to sacrifice or compromise
with her own standards or ideals to conform to the standards of the
group.
All of these things have had a great deal more effect upon us-our
values, our beliefs, our attitudes, and reactions-than perhaps any
of us will ever really realize in full.
Female subculture reflects the great importance of athletics-that is, boys'
competitive athletics in the United States high school-and athlete worship becomes a
facet of the female subculture, although there is some evidence of a decline in interest
in competitive athletics.
We were definitely athlete worshippers, and we planned all our
activities around this. Therefore, our activities centered around
school activities, while some other groups of girls centered their
interests around 4-H, dance halls, and movies. There was a very
definite group of girls who hung around the nearby dance pavilion.
We discussed these girls, but we did not condemn them for doing
this or for drinking or smoking. We were happy with our activities,
they seemed to be happy with theirs, and that was the way we left
it.
Sorensen also asked adolescent girls to rank the twenty-one activities in terms of
importance. The ranking of girls was essentially the same as that of boys. Girls gave
highest rank to "learning about myself," "having fun," and "preparing myself to earn a
good living when I get older." They ranked "having sex with a number of different
boys," "getting loaded and hanging out," and "making out with boys" as least
important (Sorensen, 1973, p. 49).
Gossip in the peer group helps to define the element of the subculture; it may
prevent members from deviating from the norm, and it helps to initiate the naive
members into the expectations of the group. As is apparent in the following cases, girls
gossip about the behavior of groups "below" them, groups "above" them, and members
of their own groups. They also gossip about the boys.
Our topic of conversation was the people who weren't there.
Through jealousy and envy, we often talked about the girls who
were more popular than ourselves; with scorn we talked about the
girls with a bad reputation, and with patronage we talked about
the girls less popular than ourselves.
This was as likely as not to be talk about one of the other members
of our own group.
We gossiped about each boy we knew, what he did, what he said,
and what our opinion was of him.
Girls that were considered inferior to the group were frequently
discussed in order to bring out our good qualities and high
standards. Girls having very poor reputations and those who were
known for their affairs with boys were reported on a great deal.
We always would end up talking about the most popular clique and
what they were doing and who they were dating. We could not help
but envy them because they were so popular and sure of
themselves.
My group of friends was considered the popular clique. We were
always watched, and were the first to be criticized. Those who
looked on always seemed to desire the goal of popularity.