Mean Girls: Does School Size Matter?
Written By Savvy Auntie Staff Writers
By: Jaime Herndon
They’re a dreaded facet of school: mean girls. Whether you’ve only seen the movie, or remember them from your own school days (or even were one of them), chances are, you’re familiar with them in some way. But a new study found that the way a school is organized can actually foster cliques. Cliques are more likely to form in large schools, and a news release about the study stated, “Schools that offer students more choice – more elective courses, more ways to complete requirements, a bigger range of potential friends, more freedom to select seats in a classroom – are more likely to be rank-ordered, cliquish, and segregated.”
The study, published in American Sociological Review, found that schools with a more rigid academic atmosphere typically fostered friendships based on academic interests and common activities. Larger schools are often associated with being less rigid because smaller schools are more likely to be private schools, and thus, smaller. In a smaller school, exclusion is less likely, because there are less people to choose from for friendships.
Small schools aren’t necessarily better, and aren’t for everyone. Smaller schools are also less likely to be as diverse as large schools, limiting a child’s exposure to new things and new cultures. If your niece or nephew has trouble in large social situations, a smaller school might be better for them. There is no one, “best” answer; instead, teachers and school personnel should encourage kids to make friends based on common interests and activities. Why not talk with your nieces and nephews about their friends, and why they like their friends? If they’re having trouble socially, let them know you’re available if they want to talk about it.
Photo: elenathewise
Published: September 22, 2015