Where the action is: Exploring adolescents’ perspectives of middle school social venues

Abstract

Hallways, cafeterias, buses, bathrooms, locker rooms, and other spaces in and around school property serve as venues for positive and negative social processes. Middle school educators can gain important insights into the adolescent world by exploring student perspectives of these spaces vital to middle school social experiences. Often unseen or misunderstood by adults, the social processes in these spaces may facilitate social and emotional growth or may serve to harm students through various forms of victimization. Exploring young adolescents’ perspectives of the social processes in these spaces is vital if educators are to address concerns and advocate for policy or procedure changes in these school environments, if warranted.