ABSTRACT
This chapter deals with adolescents’ orientation towards institutional authorities, that is, the way in which they relate to the formal system of society. It considers different aspects of adolescents school experience, taking into account the pivotal role of school socialization in shaping the general orientation of individuals towards institutions. The chapter looks at the interplay between school experience and peer group membership in influencing attitudes and behaviours towards the formal institutions. The growing autonomy that adolescents gain from and are given by the family enables them to purchase goods independent of family control and to experiment with other relations regulated by codified formalities and behavioural repertoires. The position that adolescents adopt to relate to the formal system may be termed as orientation towards institutional authorities. A fundamental issue linked to the position taken by individuals towards the institutional system concerns comprehension of the procedures and the aims of the system itself.
