SECTION 10: Pupil Subcultures

A pupil subculture is a group of students who share similar values and behavior patterns, often as a response to labelling and streaming.

• Colin Lacey: Differentiation and Polarization:

  • Differentiation: Teachers categorize students (streaming).

  • Polarization: Students respond by moving to one of two "poles."

• Pro-School Subculture: Usually students in high streams. They gain status through academic success and follow school rules.

• Anti-School Subculture: Usually students in low streams who have been "denied" status by the school. They flip the rules upside down to gain status from their peers (e.g., smoking, truanting, or disrupting lessons).

• Woods: Other Responses: It's not just "pro" or "anti." Some students are Ingratiators (teacher's pets), Ritualists (going through the motions), or Retreatists (daydreaming).