1. Blogs
  2. J-Cat's blog
  3. What makes popular... popular?

What makes popular... popular?

J-Cat

Shared on Wed, 02/24/2010 - 08:37

Interesting article from Jezebel.com about how the popular kids in high school may not be any more happy than the losers. No new information there... lots of people are unhappy in h igh school. But they did point out a very interesting topic. Lots of people hate the popular kids.

So if the popular kids are hated... what makes popular, well... popular?

In the study they stated that a popular person has 5 key qualities. 1. physical attractiveness. 2. Able to intimidate others. 3. sexual experience. 4. wealth. 5. Regular drug/alcohol use.

Does this jive with what you remember from high school? I would say that in my high school, the popular kids didn't intimidate others, but influenced others. But my high school was a bit weird. The drama club had more cache than the football team.  Regulular drug/alcohol use... well... that's odd in that it may make you cool up to a point, but I remember teh TOTALLY cute boy who got fucked up on some major drugs. Almost didn't have his mind by the end of the year. And... well... he had fallen WAY down the popularity ladder.

I was... okay popular. I had friends. Lots of people thought I was a loser. But some people liked me. I was involved (drama club, worked on student's council, peer counselling). I was the one who bridged science geekdom and the drama squad.

What made "popular" in your high school? Looking back: do you think the poular kdis would self identify as popular? Do you think they were happy?

*Note I met up with Sean (that's his name) quite a few years after high school. He was doing okay. Construction: making kids playground. I think about him a ton... he was the sweetest boy. I still think of him as that, a boy. Anyone you think of from high school like that? Wonder if they are okay?

Comments

TKBosss's picture
Submitted by TKBosss on Wed, 02/24/2010 - 14:52
I fell in the "Punk Rocker" crowd at my school (which was being an outcast). Being on the soccer team was a big deal at my school (we were the State Champs for several years). Skater and Punk Rockers hung out but stoners were OUT!!!! Surfers kind of cut between "Punks and Sportsters". That's Florida for you!!!
hilskie's picture
Submitted by hilskie on Wed, 02/24/2010 - 15:26
So...the rich kids thought they were popular...but they really weren't...they just had their own little click... In my school my Junior/Senior year...if you were in a band (not necessarily Band class...but in a band or associated with one) then you were popular...everyone wanted to know when your next show was...people who considered themselves popular were always at the shows... But there was also the athletes who were smart on top of being successful in sports. They were the really popular kids. Drama...big no no...science...bigger no... Drugs...weed was ok...anything more than that and you were considered trashy.
Armorsmith76's picture
Submitted by Armorsmith76 on Sat, 02/27/2010 - 19:56
I went to a small private Catholic school. There were 2 opposing groups of popular people. The athlete/honors kids and the anti-authority, alcohol/pot/tobacco party crowd. You either belonged to, or liked one of those groups. Those 2 cliques butted heads all the time. band or hard drugs made you a loser to both groups I don't think teenagers are ever really happy, not in the long term, stable way that I experience in my adult life. Too many hormones, drama and inexperience. Whoever said those were the best years of a persons life must have had a pretty sucky life. I think about my classmates sometimes, lots of them became doctors, nurses, and for some reason teachers. And they came from both groups. I still think of them as I remember them, I barely recognize recent photos of most. It's funny to see how the hot girl and the football star from high school got so fat.
Caesar's picture
Submitted by Caesar on Wed, 02/24/2010 - 10:37
popular in my school was sports, football and basketball. you had to start, you couldnt just be on the team. this was the main reason i was popular in high school. regardless you still have people who will dislike you for whatever reason they can dream up. i remember that if you did drugs in my school you were definitely an outcast and considered a loser. i guess a lot has changed
J-Cat's picture
Submitted by J-Cat on Wed, 02/24/2010 - 13:01
NOTE: I miss the thumbs: I can't tell if this is going over well or not. But the thumbs are gone... no sense in wishing for what will never return!
FadeIntoBlack's picture
Submitted by FadeIntoBlack on Wed, 02/24/2010 - 13:43
Like Caesar said, sports was key for guys. The bigger the star/more varsity starts the bigger the popularity boost. For girls it was attractiveness, wealth, and whether they were a member of the Cheerleaders or Drill Teams. Being in Drama, Band, Choir, Chess, Math, Science or any other club was insta-relegation to dork squad. Popular kids partied, drank, smoked weed for the most part though there were exceptions.
meemoos's picture
Submitted by meemoos on Wed, 02/24/2010 - 13:57
Drill team chicks were lozers, as were the marching band geeks ;-) 2 groups: stoners and socs. (socials) Football players were cool. Cheerleaders were cool (they had to try-out in front of the whole school--big boobs was key!)

click for more 2O2P member action

click for more 2O2P member action

© 2007 Media Crumb Inc. All rights reserve Media Crumb Inc.

Join our Universe

Connect with 2o2p