This qualitative study considers the experiences of a high school student with respect to unstable living conditions and peer relationships. For “Peter,” living in shelters and budget hotels meant withdrawing into cramped spaces, giving up personal possessions, and restricting social interaction at a time when identity formation is usually characterized by exploration, independence, and increased peer interaction Since Peter feels his socioeconomic background is the cause of difficult peer relationships, a quantitative study of his peers was conducted. Using a random sample of 232 students at Peter's high school, attitudes toward poor, sheltered, and middle class students are analyzed. Although Peter displays a hesitant personality style that contributes to poor social relationships, findings from the quantitative study suggest that students at Peter's school form friendships based upon socioeconomic class. Findings also suggest that students from middle to high SES backgrounds reject a newly-enrolled peer at a greater rate when compared to students from low to middle SES backgrounds.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:pacific.edu/oai:scholarlycommons.pacific.edu:uop_etds-3600 |
| Date | 01 January 2000 |
| Creators | Burhoe, Jane Constance |
| Publisher | Scholarly Commons |
| Source Sets | University of the Pacific |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | text |
| Format | application/pdf |
| Source | University of the Pacific Theses and Dissertations |
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