Forming Dangerous Cliques By Students

 

The formation of dangerous cliques by students has become a concerning issue in many educational institutions, as these groups often create social hierarchies, foster exclusions, and lead to bullying and harrassment. Cliques can be defined as small groups of people with shared interests and motives who spend time together, but their exclusivity can metamorphose into feelings of isolation among other students who do not belong to their groups. In schools, cliques range from groups of athletes to those centred around academic or artistic interests, and while they can provide a sense of belonging and identity, they can also perpetuate litany of societal divisions and reinforce frictions. Cliques can indeed lead to some societal problems, and in some cases, even to deaths. While there is no direct correlation between cliques and deaths in the actual sense of it, social exclusivity and group dynamics can contribute immensely to various issues. 

Some types of cliques include:

1. Jocks: They are athletes and sports enthusiasts.

2. Nerds: They are academically focused students.

3. Populars: They are socially prominent students. They want to intimidate people with their money and exotic cars.

4. Outcasts: They are students who do not fit into mainstream social groups. They want to study very hard in order to get high grades in their examinations.

The interest-based cliques include:

1. Music cliques: They are students who share musical interests together.

2. Art cliques: They are students who share artistic interests together.

3. Gaming cliques: These are students who share gaming interests together.

4. Ethnic or cultural cliques: These are groups formed around shared ethnicity or culture.

5. Social status cliques: These are groups formed around social status or wealth.

6. Extracurricular cliques: These are groups formed around extracurricular activities.

Every clique can be characteristically inclusive, exclusive, or neutral. The inclusive clique is welcoming and supportive. The exclusive clique is restrictive and isolating; while the neutral clique, as its name implies, is neither particularly inclusive nor exclusive.

What are the causes of clique formation? The causes include:

1. Social identity theory: 

Students may form cliques as means of establishing a sense of identity and belonging.

2. Peer pressure:

Peer pressure can play a significant role in the formation of cliques as students may feel compelled or coerced into joining a particular clique or group to fit in or avert aggression and attacks from peers.

3. Power dynamics:

Cliques can also form around power dynamics, with some students seeking to assert dominance over the others.

What are the consequences of dangerous cliques? They include:

1. Bullying and harrassment:

Cliques can lead to bullying and harrassment of students who are not part of the group.

2. Conflict and violence:

In extreme cases, cliques can lead to physical conflict and violence between groups, leading to attacks and counter-attacks between conflicting groups.

3. Disrespect for authority:

Cliques can also foster a culture of disrespect for authority figures, such as teachers and school administrators, including the school principals.

The impact of cliques on students are:

1. Social isolation:

Students who are not part of the clique may feel isolated and excluded.

2. Anxiety and stress:

The pressure to join a clique or conform with certain norms can lead to anxiety and stress.

3. Negative impact on academic performance:

The distractions and stress caused by clique dynamics can negatively impact academic performance.

What are the prevention and intervention strategies to mitigate clique formations? 

1. Promoting inclusivity:

Schools can promote inclusivity by encouraging students to interact or interface with diverse groups.

2. Teaching empathy and conflict resolution skills: 

Schools can teach their students empathy and conflict resolution skills to help them sail through complex social dynamics.

3. Encouraging positive relationships:

Schools can encourage positive relationships between students and authority figures.

In  summary, the formation of dangerous cliques among students can have serious consequences, including bullying, conflicts, and disrespect for authority. By promoting inclusivity, teaching empathy and conflict resolution skills, and encouraging positive relationships, schools can help prevent the random forming of dangerous cliques and create a safer and more supportive learning environment.

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