Social Networks and Influences in Adolescence

Social Networks and Social Influences in Adolescence charts the interactions of young people both in and out of school and the role of peers and friends in strengthening social attachments and in establishing social identities. It describes how social identities are worked out in the different settings which comprise the adolescent's world and how these experiences differ for those who are shy, popular, aggressive or anti social. In three sections, part one describes how the social ties between friends link young people to various kinds of peer group structures, including friendship cliques, the peer crowd, classroom groups, as well as antisocial groups and gangs. Part two explores young people's behaviour in the wider social environment and the implications of social acceptance or rejection for academic motivation, aggression and health risk behaviour. Finally, part three describes how professionals can support adolescents in building social attachments, giving practical examples of how this is being done in various communities. Social Networks and Social Influences in Adolescence will prove invaluable for students and professionals working with young people.