Teens in Natural HabitatAmanda Manton

Habitat Stratford Square Mall Saturday 7:00-7:30 pm People: Teens, parents, employees at

mall/stores

Functionalism Social perspective that emphasizes the

contribution made by each part of society

Mall Place for teens to hangout Place for consumption/distribution of

product in economy Teens

Consumers for stores

Functionalism Manifest functions: intended

purpose/result of society Mall: Place to buy goods

Latent Functions: unintended consequences of a part of society Mall: Place for teens to loiter

Conflict Theory Theoretical perspective that believes groups

in society are in conflict due to their values A group passes another group and start

whispering/ complaining about the group they passed-based on looks/behavior of other group

Moms v. Daughters over dresses Mom told daughter the dress was too short but

daughter thought it was fine Mom told daughter she wore the dress too high

and pulled it down while the girl pulled it back up

Teenagers’ Interactions Girls ask each other if dress looks good or not Talk about Homecoming plans Complain about parents Groups join other groups if they know each

other Wave/say hi to people they know Boys talk about sports Boyfriends and girlfriends hold each other’s

hands while they walk around the mall

Norms Don’t go to mall alone; be with friends Girls try on dresses for dances Don’t run or yell Talk with friends while roaming the mall Go to the movie theatre Swear and use foul language Buy clothes or other things

Values Appearance- ask friends how they look in

clothes Having Friends- people go in groups Cell phones- everyone has one and is using it Use others’ opinions to influence actions

Girls didn’t buy a dress without friends or mom liking what they wear

Material Objects-go to mall to buy things/mall is full of material goods, such as clothes

Technology Cell phones/texting

Most teens use them at the mall Cash registers

Workers use so teens can buy things Movies

Teens go to movies to spend time together

Language Swearing

Don’t really care what others hear Relaxed setting, so don’t censor self as much

Text language (only a few girls) Like OMG

Nonverbal: texting Communicate with friends not there or in

other parts of mall BOGO- buy one get one free

Symbols Mall=cool/ safe place to hang out with

friends Food court=place to eat/ sit and talk Stores=place to express style/ fun place

to try on or see clothes Movies=fun entertainment

Distinct Groupings Boys and girls separate Separated by race Friends based on cliques; popular kids

together, emo/goth kids together Moms and daughters looking for dresses If group had mix, then one group

would be a majority Ratio of boys to girls in group: 3:1,

6:1

Surprising Observations Multiple girls went dress shopping with

their moms because I thought friends tended to do that

A mom pulling a girl’s dress down Thought moms tended to be more

conservative