Dr. Robert Crosnoe Department of Sociology & Population Research Center

1. You Were Right and Your Parents Were Wrong: Why High School Social Life Really Does Matter in the Future Dr. Robert Crosnoe Department of Sociology & Population Research Center Population Research Center The University of Texas at Austin

2. The Importance of Being “Real” • Not really. I…what I believe in is just be who you are. And I don’t really…like so many teens are affected by peer pressure and they give into it and whatever. I don’t… I just don’t feel that I should I be somebody else that other’s want me to be. I just like to be who I am and if nobody likes it, then oh well. (Sylvia, Latina 10th grader) • I haven’t really felt that way because I do…I always be myself. I don’t try and be anyone else…it is like it doesn’t really matter, because then you won’t be happy if you try and be someone else. (Wes, White 9th grader) Population Research Center The University of Texas at Austin

3. Population Research Center The University of Texas at Austin

4. The Two Sides of High School • Formal Processes and Informal Processes • Oh, people I meet, definitely (are the most important thing about school)…The school is just a big building with lots of people in it (Joshua, White 9th grader) • But it was a picture of Friday after school after the bell rang and just down that long hallway that leads to the theatre. It’s just always packed with people. I think that’s kind of -- like, that’s just it…It’s just one big thing. That’s what kids kind of have to do. They have to be able to flow to everyone. (Christian, White 9th grader) Population Research Center The University of Texas at Austin

5. The Two Sides of High School Peer Culture of High School Academic Progress Personal/Interpersonal Development Population Research Center The University of Texas at Austin

6. From Timeless to Timely • Dramatic Changes in the U.S. Demography, School Organization, Information Technology, and Economic Structure Have Intensified the Consequences of the Social Side of Schooling for How Teenagers’ Lives Turn Out Population Research Center The University of Texas at Austin

7. The Larger Context • Demography of Teen Population Population Research Center The University of Texas at Austin

8. The Larger Context 9th Biology • Reorganization of American Education 10th Science Topics Chemistry Out Out Adv. Science 11th Out Physics 12th Population Research Center The University of Texas at Austin

9. facebook helps you connect and share with the people in your life. The Larger Context • Explosion of Information Technology Population Research Center The University of Texas at Austin

10. The Larger Context • Restructuring of Global Economy Population Research Center The University of Texas at Austin

11. Lower Odds of College-Going Associated with Girls’ Obesity Population Research Center The University of Texas at Austin

12. Membership in Stigmatized Group: Obesity & Same-Sex Attraction Information Processing: Social Feedback & Social Comparison Perceived Social Marginalization: Feelings of Not Fitting In Counterproductive Coping Mechanisms: Depression Marijuana Use Truancy Identity Discrepancies: Actual/Ought & Spoiling Fewer Valued Courses & Grades Lower Odds of College-Going Life Course Outcomes The Final Picture Population Research Center The University of Texas at Austin

13. Other Examples • The Timing of Puberty • Drinking and School Context • Physical Attractiveness, Activities, and Grades Population Research Center The University of Texas at Austin

14. Take Home Points • The Futility of Separation • Short Term Protections vs. Long Term Risks • Policy Implications • NCLB disaggregation • Health services • Extracurriculum • Redefining arts curriculum • No bad choices Population Research Center The University of Texas at Austin

15. How did you get here? How did you not get where you are not? Population Research Center The University of Texas at Austin