Cool, X! (re your daughter) ...
I suspected that. -g- Knowing her mom and dad, to some extent, via SI board chat.
You mention that you know mothers of 'alpha' middle-school social icons. What are the mothers like? Equally and/or moreso 'stressed out?' If yes, how and why? -g-
My personal experience was that, because of a natural athletic/coordination ability, basically, I was able to win student vote (talk about a stressful 'popularity' competition) to become a jr. varsity cheerleader as a virtual 'unknown' end of my freshman year at the public HS. Then, varsity during Jr and Sr years. (I was forced by one of my parents to spend the first eight years @ the parochial (Catholic) school up the street. The other, coming time for HS, put his foot down over the tuition for the segregated Catholic high schools. I believe, as well, that my father thought it was sort of strange to segregate boys and girls in a high school environment. My father had a bit more of a 'real world' concept as he was living in it. -g- My mother was a 50s brainwashed housewife who clung to the notion of it ("If I am the perfect housewife, I am guaranteed financial security for the rest of my life") stemming from her childhood terror living thru some fairly substantial poverty during the great depression (she was born in 1920. Eldest of five -- count them -- good Catholic family).
ANYWAY: student tryout finals were pretty wild. 500 in my class alone. I'd say 2,000 in the gym for about 12 per class finalists (pre-judging culled the intial tryout field from usually 30-35 down to 12 each grade -- the gym teachers, and couple of faculty advisors, such as the football/basketball coaches, Pep Club advisor, etc.)
Student vote chose only 4 per class, + one alternate (pitiable - the runner-up, who was benched unless a regular was out for a game. Seldom happened).
Tryouts were @ 10:00 a.m. At 3:00 p.m. -- after an agonizing day of classes, all nominees were called to the principal's office. Where we sat together and listened with the rest of the school as the winner's names were announced over the P/A system. The unchosen wept uncontrollably, and we winners felt deliriously happy, but sad for our friends who 'didn't make it.' At least, I always felt that way. I put myself in the place of those so terribly disappointed.
As soon as I became a cheerleader, I was 'popular.' Dates. Invitations to join HS sororities.
The real Alphas weren't necessarily cheerleaders at my HS, however, which, at the time, was supported the wealthiest suburban area of the city.
The real Alphas won the 'royalty' 'honors' i.e. Homecoming Queen and court; Winter queen/court; calendar girls (LMAO: yes, we actually had a calendar).
For three years, as much fun as it was to be a cheerleader and all that went with it, I was very uneasy. I thought it was BS. The 'instant popularity.' Phony. (I was a quiet kid, if you can imagine -g-. Reader, isolationist, sort of. Shy.)
I became interested -- intensely interested -- in a journalism class Jr. year. Fortunately. I knew, from that moment on, there would be something meaningful in my life. The social stuff was nonsense, I realized even then. Although, I was then and now, lazy. -g- Was always content with a 'B' existence.
Re the marriages of the Alphas. LOL!! Indeed. I attended my 30th reunion back in Louisville last June. Several of the Alphas are too embarrassed to show up -- 20th, same. They've been married 3-4 times and divorced same number. Some on 5th or even 6th marriages. Same for the Alpha males.
LOL. Sorry ....
Reminiscing.
I'd love to discuss all of this more .... anybody?
(Not my personal life -g- .... I'm more interested in the sociological progress, I'm hoping, in our youth such as your daughter, X. Yours too, Poet ... et al).
Best
bonster |
