Humans are born with a natural desire to belong. However, when faced with problems that makes a person stand out from others, that person may pose as an outsider to society. In this day in age, it is common to see teenagers who face difficulties like homelessness or orphan care within a community. These difficulties often lead the teenagers to feel left out or excluded from classmates. Social exclusion can affect teens mentally, physically, or emotionally and eventually have an affect on the child’s adulthood.
Social exclusion, refers to the act of keeping a group or individual out of social situations. High school is a prime example of how teens can be affected by social rejection. In most schools, there are some visible signs of students who are left out. Social exclusion typically happens to students who lack desirable characteristics. Social rejection is known to cause pain for those who are denied inclusion. Some teens could experience exclusion from something as simple as not dressing the same as others or having a different living situation. Psychologists have also found that feeling left out can affect the psychological needs of most teenagers. Researchers have found that experiencing rejection gives people a reduced sense of belongingness which is a psychological need of humans. Without this, people could have reduced self-esteem, low sense of control, and a feeling of having a meaningless existence (“The Psychological Effects”, “Social Exclusion”).
Exclusion has been a major topic in the psychology field that continues to confuse those who study it. To further understand the concept of social rejection, psychologists examined fMRI scans of the brain. These findings suggested that the higher the level of activity in the different brain regions, the more sensitive people are to social exclusion. Using this information, psychologists can conclude that peer acceptance during childhood can have a continuing impact or threaten the needs of social rejection in adolescence. Studies of peer rejection have shown that rejection has caused impairments in the daily life of students. These impairments typically arise from continued patterns of interactions among peers who show dislike to others. Social exclusion can also cause students to produce negative emotions which will affect abilities like getting along with others and may lead to growing problems with the way the student interacts. Signs of fear, doubt, and anger are just a few of the emotions that a teen could face when feeling excluded. Although a student may feel these emotions, expressions of these feelings may not be outright. These emotions are typically covered up or left unnoticed. Some effects of social exclusion can be reduced sleep quality, distress, reduced self-esteem, anxiety, depression, or even aggression (“Social Exclusion in the School”, Will).
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Another big problem that could lead to social exclusion is poverty. Around the country, there are families who struggle to survive in society. Two of the main factors that are behind the placement of children brought into alternative care is poverty and social exclusion. Some parents are forced to give up children in order to provide the best care possible. Other factors that could bring children into alternative care are children with disabilities, or ethnic minorities. Social exclusion could be considered a sign of bullying but in fact, social rejection that causes psychological harm may not always constitute bullying. Many teens and adults may be oblivious to the fact that others are being left of situations. From frequent behavior of excluding others, the continuous harm can have a negative impact on behavioral and emotional help. A study of social exclusion in Australia shows that approximately 1 in 6 children experience rejection within their school. Although these statistics may not be completely accurate, due to the different ways exclusion can be presented, it does give us a good idea of how many kids experience exclusion during school (“Children Affected by Poverty”,“Social Exclusion in the School”, Will).
The need to be valued and loved within relationships is important to both children and adults. It is important that children develop strong social skills so by adolescence, those children do not lack the skills needed. By providing social support to others, it can improve both mental health and well being as an individual. The most common type of social exclusion is bullying. Bullying is known to cause increased risks of mental health problems and trouble adjusting to the academic environment. The National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, also known as NICHD, is a child research institute that performed studies on bullying and its effects on children. These psychologists found that the most serious effects are risks of mental and behavioral problems. In contrast to what most people would think, not only the victims but also the bullies may suffer from these risks (“How Does Bullying Affect Health”, “Social Exclusion”).
Social exclusion is not only seen in person but it can even happen over social media. Cyberbullying is a continuing problem that teens face everyday. This form of rejection is harder to understand considering all the different ways or apps that it can happen on. Researchers have found that there are higher rates of depression to youth who are bullied electronically. NICHD funded research studies to further understand the effects of cyberbullying on the bullies and the victims. NICHD found that those who bully others or are bullied themselves have a lower risk for depression than students who bully over cell phones or computers. This information shows how much more of an impact cyberbullying has on teens and young children than regular bullying (“How Does Bullying Affect Health”).
Children around the world face problems that lead can lead them to depression. According to the National Institutes of Health, cyberbullying in schools creates a greater risk of depression for youth who are the targets rather than the kids who bully them. In contrast to the original study conducted by the NIC, this survey suggests that cyberbullying causes greater harm to students rather than traditional bullying. Dr. Lannotti, the author of this study, found that twenty percent of U.S adolescents have been physically bullied within their school at least once in the last two months. The study also showed that about fourteen percent of students had been bullied electronically. The results of being bullied include lack of scholastic achievement, general feeling of well-being, and the development of social skills. With parental support, students are less likely to bully or be bullied. Dr. Wang, a mental health professional, explained that parents need to be willing to show support and help the child. By showing care, the child is more likely to overcome the difficulties with bullying (“Depression High Among Youth”).
The school environment is one of the most common areas where exclusion takes a toll. It can take place in a classroom or even outside on the playground. Relational aggression is just one type of exclusion that has been known to affect teens. It can occur not only through social media but also through gossiping, spreading rumors, public humiliation, or alliance building. Relational aggression is a difficult thing to spot, it is typically out of the radar of adults. Statistics from The Ophelia Project, a national nonprofit group that studies relational aggression, show that students between the ages of eleven and fifteen report being exposed to over thirty acts of relational aggression during a typical week. Youth who experience cyberbullying is estimated to be as high as forty percent or more. Like other acts of exclusion, relational aggression is said to be as painful as physical blows and its negative effects can last for years to come. Some side effects of this aggression include absences from school, perform worse academically, be socially isolated, behavioral problems, eating disorders, and symptoms of depression or anxiety (“Six Ways to Help Your Child”).
An example of where relational aggression takes place is through groups called cliques. Cliques are typically the source for most bullying. Around the teen years, it is common for teens to feel insecure. Teens will feel a need to be around people who seem more attractive, popular, or cool in order to fit in. These groups of teens are considered as cliques. Cliques can be found in schools or even within sport teams. Kids within these cliques do most things together and anyone who is outside the group may face ridicule. These groups are usually lead by a leader who creates rules whether it is doing certain activities or wearing particular clothing. The pressure of a clique often causes the kids to develop different behaviors. This can include stealing, pulling pranks, or bullying other kids to stay in the group. This behavior can also lead to online gossiping or teasing. Cliques are also known to be a huge contributor to social exclusion. Teens may also be excluded for a variety of reasons but the most common is being rejected for lacking desired characteristics. Some teens can not afford the new clothes or accessories that other clique members can. This may seem like a minor problem but it can, in fact, be the deciding factor when allowing a new member into the group. Cliques are most commonly seen in high school or middle school but can be evident between fourth and fifth grade as well. If a child shows signs of being involved in unhealthy cliques, a parent can easily help them. It is important to build up a child’s confidence. Oddly enough, there are some movies or books that can also help students cope with the problem of exclusion. Popular movies like Mean Girls, The Breakfast Club, and Clueless are relatable for teens or young adults. These movies show the importance of being yourself and the value of being a good friend. The movies also show what it is like to be ridiculed and how to overcome those problems. To develop healthy friendships, students can get involved in extracurricular activities. Out of school activities are great for learning new skills and allows kids to meet new people. True friends are more important than being apart of a group that is uncomfortable to be in (“Helping Kids Cope With Cliques”).
Exclusion is not only based around students in schools. A few other causes for social exclusion could be lack of success at school, low status, poverty, or gender inequalities. The most persuasive cause of of social disadvantage is poverty. Typically, when a child is homeless, the qualities that most youth look for are lacking. This could potentially lead displaced children to feel like an outsider. The cohesion of society as a whole and the quality of life of individuals is affected by social exclusion. This understanding has led researchers to further understand how poverty is related to social exclusion. In the United States, the number of children living in poverty has steadily increased between the years of 1987 and 1992. Children between the ages six to seventeen who were living in poverty grew from fifteen to twenty percent. Other studies show that family income and poverty status can also affect a child’s development and behaviors. Within the school environment, students who live in poverty may feel left out. It has been found in recent studies that the behavior and mental health of children is determined by living conditions. Researchers back in 1995 discovered that family poverty and residential characteristics can predict a child’s mental health. The length of time that a child is in poverty has a big affect on a child’s mental health. In fact, a child can feel an increase of feelings of unhappiness, anxiety, and dependence the longer that the child is in poverty. This can further affect the child’s social skills, even into adulthood. Eventually this can lead the child to exclusion. Researchers have also found that certain parenting practices like physical punishment or harsh discipline seem to happen more frequently in poor families rather than higher class families. These parenting practices have significant effects on a child’s mental health as well and can change the way the child behaves around peers (Magrab).
It is evident that exclusion for teens is a ongoing problem in our society, so how can people make a difference? There are no specific things that one could do to create an equal environment, but there are some small factors that could potentially help a child in need. For parents, it is important to have good parenting practices. By teaching manners, children are more likely to be inclusive to others in the school setting. Parents can also teach good coping skills and help the children develop healthy relationships. Most kids need support, empathy, and space from their problems. Also, by giving a child someone to talk or listen to can potentially help solve the problem (“Six Ways to Help Your Child”).
Social exclusion has been a part of our society for many years. The term “social exclusion” was first used in 1970 by a French politician who had described those excluded from the labor market. Dr. Lynn Todman studies socio economics, also known as social exclusion at the Institute on Social Exclusion at Adler School of Professional Psychology in Chicago. According to Todman, “there is research showing that when people feel like they are being excluded, [people] lose their willingness to self-regulate.” Another psychologist, Dr. Edyth Wheeler of Towson University in Baltimore County has studied social exclusion of young adults as well as young children. Dr. Wheeler has found that children around the age of four are at the point of the dependency on peer approval. On the contrary, Wheeler believes that the desire to exclude peers is based on the knowledge of the human condition. More specifically, the two psychologists found that the most common gender and age group to perform acts of social exclusion is young girls. To them, excluding others is a powerful tool that is used to negotiate relationships. Although social exclusion is considered bad, according to Wheeler, there is some good news for the victims. Dr. Wheeler explains, “it is not a permanent condition. It peaks and then goes away. Part of it is about finding your own identity.” Parents or teachers may also play a part in helping children cope with social exclusion. By listening and picking up certain signals, it will give children somebody to trust. The message will give the child a sense of value and trust, which can make the situation better. Teachers can play a role by creating a sense of community and making group work an equal environment. It all comes down to the responsibility of the adult which could be the make or break the spirit of a child (“A New Bullying”). The support and encouragement of a teacher or parent could potentially override the effects of poverty or disadvantage of a child facing these difficulties (“A New Bullying”).
Feeling included whether it’s within a group or individually, every human has a desire to fit in. Teens who face difficulties like homelessness or orphan care, may lack the desired qualities to fit in. Poverty or orphan care should not stop those children from creating healthy friendships that will later develop throughout adulthood. By learning at a young age, kids can learn to respect, care, and show kindness which will help in the future. It’s important for kids to know that there are resources in every community, from counseling centers to clothing closets. These students just need a push in the right direction.
