King's other drama club

By Deann Montgomery

Some girls say they would feel lonely if they were not a part of a group, while other more independent girls simply say, “whatever."

There are many reasons why girls join cliques. After all, a clique is just a group of people who share the same interests, views, purposes and behavior. Well, at least that's the theory. In reality, the clique does not fit everyone.

I'm not sure of the benefits of belonging to a clique, but what I am sure of is that there is a lot of drama that comes from being part of a clique.

When you are in a clique, you not only have to worry about how you perceive yourself, but about how everyone else perceives you. Belonging to a clique can cause a girl to doubt if she is good enough to run with the cool girls.

The problem with cliques is that they promote exclusion, says LeeAndra Kahn, assistant principal at King College Prep High School.

Girls seem to lose their individuality when they become a part of a clique. They feel they have to work hard to fit the brand of the clique and, generally, this is not a true reflection of who you are.

Some girls become followers, not leaders, without knowing it. Counselors warn that it is important for girls to keep their personal identity in check when joining a clique.

"Conformity to the whims of the leaders is the price paid for membership," Dr. Marie Hartwell-Walker, a Massachusetts psychologist and family therapist, writes at PsychCentral, an independent mental health network.

Acceptance and rejection can occur at a critical stage of development, often as early as 4th grade, studies show. Educators and mental health professionals are confronting the problem with early intervention.

The Chicago Public Schools added “Cliques, Crushes and True Friends: Developing Healthy Relationships” by Ashley Rae Harris to its recommended purchasing list of books to help pre-teen girls cope with peer pressure.

I talked to classmates at King on Chicago's South Side to find out how cliques fit into their lives.

Are the King Girls really considered "Mean Girls" as seen in the hit movie, or does the term clique have a different meaning now? The King Girls may dress alike and always be together, but this does mean that they are evil people?

"Some cliques I do like, but I do not like one certain clique," says Jailyn Brown, a 10th grader who is not a member of any King clique. "They are all phony, scary and they talk about one another [but] call each other best friends, which is wrong."

Jah’nise Robinson, a member of the King Girls, says cliques serve a purpose. “This clique is a support system,” Robinson says. “They are all my friends and I can talk to them about anything. They are always there to help me out."

Few could argue with Robinson about her observations. It feels good to feel like you belong to something. It feels good to belong to something bigger than yourself. But does it feel good if you can't speak your mind or be yourself? It is hard to stay true to your values because you have to consider the feelings of the group.

Taylor Carr and Imani Graham, both members of the King Girls, point out the pros and cons of being in a clique.

“The advantage is that we always get to go out and have fun together,” says Carr.

“The disadvantages are all the rumors that get spread around," especially about having sex with many different boys, says Graham.

In some cases, the gossip can harm a girl’s self-esteem and reputation long after she leaves school.