What Does It Mean To Be Popular

What does it really mean to be popular? Pop*u*lar- adjective: regarded with favor, approval, or affection by people in general. (Zahn) During middle school, teachers and parents tell u that if we question the status quo and listen to our hearts, we will be our best selves. (Koppelman) While that’s true and we all strive to be our best selves, each of us still struggle with wanting to belong. (Koppelman) In my mind to be popular you have to want to be popular. (Lincoln) For example, “popular is that girl who is nice to everyone (Lincoln).” If that “popular” girl is actually being nice to everyone she had to want to be popular, or else she would’ve probably snapped on them every once in awhile. What I know now as I’m entering high school is

(Zahn) “You’re in or out, popular or ‘a loser,’ and the roles seem more rigidly defined than ever before.” Popularity used to be simple; we had the chart-topping song, the top rated TV show, the No. 1 best seller, the highest-grossing movie of the year, and the “it” people. (Sternbergh) Now the concept of popularity has been flayed, hung by its heels and drained of all meaning. (Sternbergh) In all things teens popular kids determine what’s hot and what’s not.

(Hellesvig-Gaskell) “However while peer acceptance is important, and teens who develop positive peer relationships generally do better, the quest to be popular can have unintended consequences.” (“Teenagers”) “Ironically being popular can create whole new levels of angst and insecurity.” (“Teenagers”) Researchers found that popular young teens had plenty of social benefits but were more likely to get into trouble with drugs, alcohol, or minor delinquent acts. (Hitti) A recent study of teenagers in Canada found clear links between the need to be popular and the use of alcohol and drugs.” (“Teenagers”) “‘It appears that while so-called cool teens behavior might have been linked to early popularity, over time, these teens needed more and more extreme behaviors to try to appear cool,’ Joseph P. Allen, lead author and professor of philology at the University of Virginia, said in statement.” (Spector) “If the trend lines continued past 15, you’d expect so-called cool-kid behavior to be less associated with popularity as people get older- and that’s exactly what happened.” (Spector) Other research has shown that teens who are unpopular will also engage in antisocial behavior, but it is more likely to be in the form of low level violence and delinquency.” (“Teenagers”) “The pseudomature behaviors evolved into larger problems