Adolescent and Peer Group Association

Abstract

The purpose of this paper is to enlighten and explore the social participation of individuals in jock groups. The paper asserts that the involvement and participation of boys is more in jock groups as compared to the girls. Moreover, the paper strives to explore this pint in light of the literature gathered from different sources.

Table of Contents

Introduciton4

Discussion5

Conclusion7

References9

Adolescent and Peer Group Association

Introduction

No matter which gender an individual belongs, he/she has a significant impact on experiences encountered in social life. The participation and involvement in jock groups is dependent upon the gender differentiation of individuals. For example, it is a widely accepted phenomenon that boys are more involved in jock groups and social involvement in the peer groups as compared to girls at all levels. The concept of gender challenges the myths that these differences result from girls' and women's differing biological make-up. Since the 1970s, there has been a sustained interest in exploring gender and its impact in individual's involvement in jock groups. Moreover, there has been significant evidence which states that the gender of an individual has a significant impact on his/her involvement and participation in peers or social groups. As a result, a number of different explanations of the concept have emerged.

Gender can be defined as the behaviors, attributes and roles associated with being either a woman or a man. An important distinction is between sex and gender. Sex refers to the biological differences between the sexes, whereas gender refers to patterns of behaviors and social characteristics associated with being women or men. We learn gendered behaviors and characteristics through everyday social practices and interactions - for example through the different kinds of physical activities introduced to us as girls and boys in school Physical Education. It can be noticed that the physical activities introduced to girls are different from the ones introduced to boys. Similarly, there are diverse factors influencing the participation of boys in the peer groups as compared to girls.

Discussion

The different explanations for how diverse genders participate in adolescent and peer groups have drawn on and reflected the developments and shifts in mainstream feminist thought. Although taking different approaches and highlighting different aspects, all feminist sociologists seek to question the ways in which peer groups are linked to ideas of femininity and masculinity. They also share a common concern, not just to describe and explain gendered inequalities in peer groups; but, to propose how criteria of involvement in social groups change in order to make it more equitable and less gendered. In addition, some explanations consider the contribution that most of the peer groups might make to challenging gendered inequalities in other areas of social life.

Early work on gender in peer group involvement drew on 'sex role' theory to argue that the differences in social groups between men and women result from sex role stereotyping and socialization practices (Weatherall, 2002, 109-115). From this approach, gendered inequalities reflect outmoded attitudes and a lack of equal opportunities for girls and women to participate and to ...