When you hear the word “clique”, what is the first thing that pops into your head? Was it Mean Girls, one of the most popular clique movies ever created? In Mean Girls, a character named Regina is the leader of a clique known as The Plastics. The members of this clique are mean to the other students in their school, but no one tries to stop them due to their popularity.

This movie is a prime example of how negatively media portrays cliques and the purpose of being in one. Based on media portrayals, cliques are seen as groups of people who bully others, who they feel are inferior to them. However, that is the complete opposite of what a clique is and its purpose. Cliques are a group of people who have a common interest like, sports, academics, and hobbies. Within cliques, there is supposed to be a developing friendship occurring that started with a shared interest.

However, cliques have a negative connotation because of some stereotypical behaviors associated with them. When students bully their classmates physically, mentally, or emotionally, people in the clique may copy the bad behaviors. The bullying could lead to students skipping school to avoid being targeted by the clique. Even with the negative connotation of cliques, they have more positive impacts, especially in high school. High school is a huge transition from primary school, and change could be rough for some students to adapt to. By sharing the same interest as someone, you can already become a part of a circle of friends making the transition process a little easier.

Cliques have positive impacts such as networking with new people. Being part of a clique could be essential to freshmen students, so they do not have to feel alone during their transition from middle school to high school. A clique is a group of people that formed a connection because of common interests, but eventually, their friendships deepen into long-lasting relationships.

– Bianca Jones