Groups are formed naturally. When kids join a sports team or fraternity in college, they feel as though they belong. When they are tweens (10 to 13) they tend to form cliques and as they mature turn to their friends instead of parents for advice and guidance. Cliques are formed at this time based on designer clothes, athletic ability, economic and social status and popularity. Cliques tend to be fall under jocks, brains, nerds, cool etc.
Which Group?
Some kids have an overwhelming desire to be accepted by a certain group or clique. If they aren’t accepted, they feel rejected and can become depressed, have unruly behavior, or become the victim of bullying and teasing. If cliques and groups become aggressive, they become gangs and this can be bad news for all involved. Cliques tend to peak when kids attend middle school.
Time spent with friends tends to be highest from the age of twelve to high school graduation. This is when kids gain independence from parents and rely on close friendships to meet their needs. As the child grows older, he still seeks out friends for companionship, but tends to share feelings and thoughts with friends, which creates a firmer bond.
Friendships and School
Having friends at school will help to boost a child’s academic progress. Friends can lend a hand when a child is struggling with a certain subject, class project and with homework. If a child is absent, friends can lend their workbooks so the child can catch up the work that was missed. Friends make school a more pleasant and provide fun activities at lunch hour and recess.
Studies show that children do better when they start school if they have already established friendships amongst their peers. They cultivate old friendships and make new ones. Teens that have friends get better grades and have fewer psychological problems when they have to change schools or when they enter secondary school.