ABSTRACT

Adolescents in the U.S. live their daily lives in two social worlds with two different masters. At school and in certain activities outside of school, they observe and participate in the culture of their peers, a culture with its own rules of dress, music, speech, and behavior, and an emphasis on popularity, physical attractiveness, and athletic success (Coleman 1961; Conger & Petersen 1984). From this culture they move regularly to the environment of home and family, which may complement or clash with that of school and peers. The transition between these two worlds is abrupt and frequent, typically occurring more than once each day.