Why are so many people in high school obsessed with popularity?

Question

It’s so stupid, people will do some bs just for attention or be fake just to get clout.

I used to have a few ex friends I knew that were like this, they always every year hang out with a different friend group usually they stick to the one they think they can get the most popularity from.

They’ll start up fights just to be the first ones there recording it and post it up on snap. They’re literally so dull to talk to, it’s like they’re a hollow incomplete person incapable of free thought.

And tbh no one in school even likes them, so their friend groups almost always usually filled with people just as fake as them if not more that shit talk them behind their back.

Is high-school not stressful enough for people?

Why are so many people in high school obsessed with popularity?

ohshee · Accepted Answer

I am the same person today that I was in high school a roundabout way I wanted to be invisible but I got to be well-known. As quiet shy was about five or six really good friends. And one day there is some kid, picking on a kid that used to ride my best he looked like two blocks from me this was a slower kid he was just a little bit different than all the rest of the kids. And the first day I seen it happen I just walked by the second day I seen it happen as I walked by I thought to myself you might as well be beating him up you're part of him getting beat up if you just walked by so I turned around grabbed a hold of the kid that was bullying him. I put them up against the wall and I told him never to touch my friend again J. T. wasn't my friend but he was my neighbor , and he could not protect himself. Anyway that day J T in about five of his friends just like him became my best friends I guess because this same guy I used to pick on all these kids. And then in our Courtyard at school we had two senior benches only seniors can sit on them if you got caught cheating on them seniors with throw you in the garbage can. Well one day JTV not knowing or understanding set of the senior benches and of course seniors see him is an easy target and they try to put him in the garbage can well that wasn't going to happen put a stop to that like right now except for this day I was with about four of my friends engine stopping these guys from doing this to jatie then they came after me and that wasn't going to happen because first of all don't put your hands on me from that moment for about 4 days there was a major conflict the senior add called me and for my other friends out and Monday it was going to be a battle this was on a Wednesday on Monday over 100 people showed up on my team and I'm talking people I didn't even know people I went to school with their brothers showed up their uncle's showed up it was totally amazing on Thursday the whole school is buzzing about this and on Monday people came to support me and my friends security was called the police were called and I is called and Katie was called to the office with some seniors and we had to explain what was going on well after that day there were no more senior benches

zeitgeist057 · Accepted Answer

For all of our self-importance and how elevated we think we are above all the other animals, humans are still pretty simple animals that operate on a few basic principles:

1. We like to be liked. We want attention, to be loved. Dopamine release feels good. Hence "seeking popularity".

2. We are thrilled by drama, it's exciting. Adrenaline release feels good. Hence rollercoasters, action movies, drugs, and yes, starting fights.

We are basically addicted to the chemicals (drugs) that our body makes and releases such as the aforementioned dopamine and adrenaline. Doing things that induce our bodies to release these chemicals can easily become addictive. Most humans are not self-aware enough to stop and think about what they are doing, and why.

pleasestopthis · Accepted Answer

Because most teens need the validation they get when they belong in a group, especially if it's a popular group. It's a very complicated age when they don't know who they are, or don't think they can be appreciated if they embrace what makes them unique, being cool is what makes them be a part of the group. Of course not all teens are like this, but a big amount of them

Kas19 · Accepted Answer

I don't know I never understood it. I think movies are largely to blame.

igaveyouanickname · Answer

Ingrained evolutionary psych practice to gain status value in current or future economic and sexual success. People want to feel safe, valued, and special (will to power).

A large fraction of my neighbors are late-20's / early-30's and act like this. They're putting on a show and not being real. They party like they're on permanent Spring Break. They cheat on their spouses (I can see in their eyes how some of the "attached" women look at me). They gossip about each other. I avoid them and find friends/romantic interests elsewhere.

RolandCuthbert · Answer

Because the social aspect of school is almost as important as the educational aspect. High school, especially, grooms you for dealing with other folks in society. That's why parents have to make sure that the school their kids attend not only provide a good education, but a good environment for making friends and fitting in.

normalice · Answer

Childhood is for learning the verbal languages. Adolescence is for learning the social languages. Popularity is considered a measure of success in that learning process. And not that it isn't a measure, but there are others. Popularity is just the most visible measure.

Birdlegs · Answer

Teenagers don’t know any better yet. They all want to feel validated and the only way to get that in their eyes is through having friends and being popular. So they’ll be fake to each other in order to climb the ranks of popularity in the highschool. Very few have any real money which is a status symbol in the real world so they just have to be attractive and popular with their peers.

ChrisMaster69 · Answer

It’s not just school, you get the same thing at work. you have people vying for attention and being noticed. then on Social media, the ‘ive got 2 million followers on GaG’ types

exitseven · Answer

The popular kids always had the most fun. They were invited to all the parties and they all were getting laid. Who wouldn't want that?

AllThatSweetJazz · Answer

Being popular is actually a good thing if it’s for the right reasons. Be good to people and be good company and they come to want your approval and appreciation.

FilmGuy93 · Answer

Popularity gives you a sense of validation at a time in life when you are trying to figure out who you are as a person.

Anonymous · Answer

it does not change even in old age
lol

but now its with money
who ever has the money has the status
YOU WANNA KNOW WHAT GOD SAYS

love of money root of all evil
do not love this world
for the love of this world is my enemy
but love Christ above the dome

scooogy · Answer

I've seen quite some people years after school who broke down social-wise, like either lonely or unemployed, unhealthy or depressed, if even still alive.

Pterodon · Answer

It isn’t about popularity it’s about being accepted by your peers

Anonymous · Answer

It is either that or studying. Not a lot of options in high school.

Bjornasey · Answer

Tribal mentality of sorts I 'suppose?

MountAverage · Answer

I've only ever seen that in movies.

Juxtapose · Answer

They're dumb, shallow kids.

anylolone · Answer

Humans are gregarious animals.

Fuentes · Answer

I was cool nobody wanted smoke in HS

PrinceNeo · Answer

So they can feel like they matter

msc545 · Answer

Well, what else is there to worry about?

mapavrili34 · Answer

I dont know buy i dont like that type human

Gwenhwyfar · Answer

I agree with u

Why are so many people in high school obsessed with popularity?

Most Helpful Opinions

What Girls & Guys Said

Why are so many people in high school obsessed with popularity?

Most Helpful Opinions

What Girls & Guys Said

We're glad to see you liked this post.