What Makes a Clique Tick?

We hear a lot about cliques these days — at school, on sports teams, and even on the big screen in movies like “Mean Girls.” Cliques, especially among girls, have been around forever. So what’s all the hype about?

First, it’s important to distinguish the difference between a clique and a group of friends. Friendship groups are normal and healthy — it’s great to feel you have people to hang out and have fun with. Often friends come together because they share similar interests and like having a place where they feel welcomed, comfortable and supported. Some groups of friends are open to others joining them, while others restrict whom they allow “in.” These groups are often referred to as cliques.

So what exactly makes a clique tick?
Usually the people in these groups must conform to a strict code of guidelines — including what to wear and how to talk. Instead of being brought together by similar interests, the interest of a clique is often to remain popular. People in cliques are usually seen only together and not with people outside of their group, since socializing with outsiders is looked down upon. Some people think that being a part of a popular clique is very important, but sometimes the pressure and demands of a clique can become stressful.

Whether you’re on the inside of a clique or out, it’s good to be prepared on how to deal with them. Here are some ideas to help:

Open up – Getting to know all kinds of people makes life interesting and helps you determine who you want to be. It’s most important to fi nd friends with similar values, goals and behavior.

Keep active – Participating in things you enjoy like sports, clubs and activities will keep you feeling good about yourself. You shouldn’t let a group of people make you feel like you shouldn’t do something you like just because it doesn’t fit with their standards.

Know yourself – This is the time in your life when you need to ask yourself, “Who am I? What is important to me and what do I value?” Setting some personal standards will help you make better decisions about who to hang out with. When you are confi dent and have good self-esteem, other people’s viewpoint will not be as important.