A Case Study On The Influence Of Peer Groups On Students' Socialization In Secondary Vocational Schools

Life is a process of socialization. The students of secondary vocational schools are juveniles which is an important phase of their physical and mental maturation. Common experiences, emotions, interests and ideas among the students provide the foundation of peer groups. Peer groups widely exist on the campus of secondary vocational schools and the interactions among group members exert great influence on the students' socialization, and such influences are indispensable and irreplaceable. However, the influence of peer groups has not received much attention from either the teaching staff or the education administration. This thesis conducts an empirical research on the students' socialization in secondary vocational schools in respect of the influences of peer groups by qualitative research methods, attempting to provide some constructive suggestions to the education in secondary vocational schools, thus creating more favorable environment for the students' socialization.First, the reason, purpose and significance of the study are explained. Based on the literature review of relevant studies and definitions given from other perspectives at home and abroad, the author makes a further delimitation of such key words as socialization and peer group. Meanwhile, the author gives a detailed description of the research procedures, including the research methodology, subjects, the choice of research sites, the way to the sites, the collection of data and the formation of papers.Then, the thesis describes the types and appearances of peer groups at secondary vocational schools, explains the characteristics of peer groups and analyses the reasons for the formation of peer groups and their influences on the students' socialization at secondary vocational schools. The research shows that peer groups can be classified into four main types: knowledge-seeking group, entertaining group, contiguous group and deviant group. All of these groups are environment dependent, open, interactive and group conform. The main reasons are as follows: friendship among group members who value true friends more than everything; contradicting relationship between teachers and students that people of different values never work together; and alienated relationship among family members of different generations. According to the research, the peer groups in secondary vocational schools mainly exert great influence on four aspects: the socialization of living skills and social norms, moral socialization, gender-role socialization and on the socialization of psychological qualities. Such influences have two sides. A series of Countermeasures are proposed. Parents are required to create harmonious family atmosphere. Schools should emphasis the construction of good relationships between teachers and students, strengthen psychological instructions and moral education and pay more attention to the key students of peer groups. The society is responsible for the awareness of community education, enhance the atmosphere of the community and strengthen the construction of community civilization. Only if the school, family and society unite together, can we guide the peer groups grow on the right track and make the positive influence promote their socialization mutually in their interactions.Last, this article makes some reflections on the validity, reliability, extendibility and ethnic problems, and then puts forward the deficiencies of the present study and expectations for future studies.