American schools.

No this isn't a public v. private discussion. Its just a thing that has bothered me for a while. All over the world, viewers are fed stereotyped and vitrilolic descriptions of American high schools. It is difficult to read any genuine, first-hand experiences, but if its anything like it is described, it's not surprising America's youth is drinking themselves to death.
Now, as a Swede, these iterations fascinate me. Perhaps this is just my lame, impressionable americophile talking, but why not talk about your high school experiences. Was it anything like "Popular" or "Veronica Mars", or are all these exaggerated too far to be representative? Indulge me, please.

American youth drinking themselves to death? I though it was bigger problem in Sweden. Atleast here in Finland it's pretty damn big problem, but our country is in pretty bad shape anyway. Both economically and socially. Not that this is much related, but not many know truth about Finland, so I guess my post has some point.

>>2 You Finns are kicking are asses up and down the block if you look at the UN stats. Then again, we Scandinavians seem to occupy the top tier of those investigations anyway. The price we have to pay for that is that our country's are fucking boring. And no, I think youth alcoholism is escalating quicker in the US at the mo. But enough about us, I want to know about what it's like in american high schools.

>>1
What are you talking about? I'm a high school student in the United States.... ask me anything, seriously.  Do you mean soda or alcohol?

I'm going to assume alcohol for the time being, after reading post >>2

I've actually never seen drugs or alcohol in a school setting in my life, nor known anyone who has taken such substances who was underage in an irresponsible fashion (i.e. outside parental supervision.)

I do know people who use them, but their parents are very careful about what happens, how much is drank, etc.

At least in terms of alcohol, I can say that the people who do it usually do so under close, watchful, parental supervision (if they are underage), and from my FIRST HAND** experiance, I have never seen a problem with it.  (Note I said first hand.. I am not trying to imply there is no problem if in fact statistics show there is...)

The illegal drugs, on the other hand, are a different story.  I've seen one instance in which I think illegal drugs were being used, and it wasn't in any kind of controlled, regulated, or moderated environment, no parents were present, and it was done outside of responsible supervision. 

Any other questions I'd be happy to answer, just let me know.

>>4 Were to start with the questions... I'll apoloize in advance if I sound insane/horrifyingly dumb.
Social Cliques, what about those? Ok I realize there isn't a clean cut between anime fans/goths/thugs/nerds etc. but what are the general divisions? Are there any?
So, bullying then. Any experience is good, and some stats would be even better. Any particular difference that is extra targetted?
Is it common with racial division inside of schools? I.e. people sticking to their color and stuff?
The most common staple ingredient of any high school movie is a girl being branded a whore due to some sick rumor. Has this ever happened, and if so, are girls commonly separated into frigid bitches/sluts?
Are jocks anything like the gayhating, popular, macho, misogynist shitheads portrayed on TV?
Has there ever been a situation where a teacher has to call out the "assignments for tomorrow" because the bell rings before he finishes? Ever? This happens all the time in cultural portrayal of high school life.

Answer what you can, share what you want to share and just go nuts. Everything is interesting, some stuff more than others. BTW, I'm going to bed now considering I'm ahead of you, so I'll read it when I am rested and happy.

>>5

"Social Cliques, what about those? Ok I realize there isn't a clean cut between anime fans/goths/thugs/nerds etc. but what are the general divisions? Are there any?"

Thugs? There are a lot of people who listen to rap and such, and try to act like 'gangstas' or some stupid crap.  As for divisions? No.. not really.  There isn't really much fighting except between rival jocks, at least at my school.  It seems like what's in the media is quite a bit of an exaggeration.  It's not THAT divided in my area.  As for nerds? Like gamers and D&D players? They get picked on by the jocks... yes.  Not like bullying, but like if they are playing cards, and a jock is walking by, they might step on them or bend them or some such bs.

I live in a somewhat rural area.  There aren't many anime fans in my school. 


"So, bullying then. Any experience is good, and some stats would be even better. Any particular difference that is extra targetted?"

Again, not much bullying going on that I have seen with the exception of what's stated above.  Usually, some of the bigger jocks who are also into trouble making and, in general, acting bitchy, get to fighting like you'd expect. 

I've never seen a kid get beat up for his lunch money in my life. 

"Is it common with racial division inside of schools? I.e. people sticking to their color and stuff?"

Not that I have noticed.  There are only a handful of racist people in the school.  Most aren't seriously racist, just occasionally say derogatory things such as "nigger" and such.  There are a few black people in my school.  They hang out with white folks just like the rest, and seem to blend in. 

"The most common staple ingredient of any high school movie is a girl being branded a whore due to some sick rumor. Has this ever happened, and if so, are girls commonly separated into frigid bitches/sluts?"

Not sure what you mean by this.  I can recall one instance in which a girl was called a slut.  It wasn't to insult her, but more just stating a fact.  I.E. she sleeps around.  Sex doesn't seem to be talked about much.  But then, I don't chat a lot with people (not interested in 'issues' like that).


"Are jocks anything like the gayhating, popular, macho, misogynist shitheads portrayed on TV?"

Jocks seem to hate gays with more of a fervor than your average person.  Most americans seem pretty anti-gay though.  Simply calling someone "gay" is an insult here.  "Faggot" is also thrown around quite a bit, as is "queer."  I don't know what you've been watching, but yeah, generally, I have pretty low regard for jocks and their ilk. 

"Has there ever been a situation where a teacher has to call out the "assignments for tomorrow" because the bell rings before he finishes? Ever? This happens all the time in cultural portrayal of high school life."

We don't have class bells at our school.  The assignments and daily agenda/work are often written on the board.  In the case of some teachers, they don't even tell you what your assignments are, they just let you know on the first day of school that from then on, they'll be up on the board, and it's your responsibility to follow up on your work. 

I kinda know what you are talking about, I guess.  If it is real, I've actually not really noticed it.  My teachers give a lot of homework though.  Some of the more bitchy ones seem to have 'missplaced' assignments occasionally, or make you redo certain ones.  Sometimes this is justified on their part, sometimes it seems they just want to be bitches.  (often justified.) 

>>6 Thanks for that. Damn do I ever hate gayhaters. Underhumans, the lot of them. BTW, have you seen this little bastard? http://spikedhumor.com/articles/38197/A_5_Year_Old_DDR_Genius.html

Amount of bullying depends on schools. Public schools are ofcourse full of bullies and other undesirable persons, but private schools are typically quite peaceful. This is because typically those bullies came from less fortunate families and they can't pay for private schooling. Many private schools also don't tolerate such activity much. Depends heavily on area where the school is too. City schools ofcourse have more bullies(and more people) than ones in smaller towns.

>>8
They were born so their parents could cash in a welfare check. Socialism is intrinsically inhumane as it distances people from reality and this immediately distances them from other people, even their own children.

>>9
Speaks the truth. 

>>7
LOL no I hadn't seen it until you showed me.  I've played that game before though.  (Dance Dance Revolution) or something. 

alright >>6
i mean you no offense but you even said yourself you live in a rural area an area which is more undercontrol by parentals. But i must disagree with you on many points possibly because im from the city and it is a different society there
1)there is racism out the ass just no one says anything
2)If your from larger cities such as i am you see drugs and drinking out the ass. I mean i just graduated last year from highschool and i doubt it has changed much..
3)There is sOOOOO much cliquey bullshit its not even funny see i play lacrosse and D&D yet none of my friends on the lacrosse team know i do that. Or i would have been so ostracized it wouldnt even be funny.
4)Lol since i came to college i noticed people from out in the country like drink with there parents which is crazy to me because my parents and my friends parents cant stand each other becuase were so seperated from each other.
5)Main thing about american society that is fucked up is the independence some people can hack it others cant. Like not having my parents home till late at nite was normal for me and i became independent and did my own stuff. But some people become so depressed its not even funny because they dont get enuf attention, therefore they hang out soo much with there clique group it leads to them doing stupid shit.

>>12
Why does it always have to be about something coming in or out of "the ass" with you?

>>13 'Cuz Thas hao heebee rollin', OG staahl, like?

>>6
"At least in terms of alcohol, I can say that the people who do it usually do so under close, watchful, parental supervision (if they are underage), and from my FIRST HAND** experiance, I have never seen a problem with it.  (Note I said first hand.. I am not trying to imply there is no problem if in fact statistics show there is...)

The illegal drugs, on the other hand, are a different story.  I've seen one instance in which I think illegal drugs were being used, and it wasn't in any kind of controlled, regulated, or moderated environment, no parents were present, and it was done outside of responsible supervision. "

Good reason to legalize it.  If it's legalized, it's often done under supervision. 

>>15
Narcotics work on the same principles as a narcotics which are to affect the nerves which use very small amounts of a chemical to convey messages. Flooding the blood with these chemicals is essentially poisonning.

How can supervision help someone who is poisonning themselves? If people should be allowed to poison themselves a little bit, where do you draw the line? Should people be allowed to convince children that drugs are super-wonderful and get them addicted for life?

THEY'RE ALL SHIT