Post by mattyments on Sept 14, 2008 20:56:14 GMT -5
Popularity has a big effect on many people’s lives. Most kids in high school strive to be popular or to be part of a group. Kids give in to peer pressure and do things that they do not want to do or would not be doing if they did not want to be popular. For example in the story 19 minutes, Josie was a nice little girl who was friends with Peter. From kindergarten through about sixth grade. Josie rode the bus with him ate lunch with him, she even stuck up for him. The first day of sixth grade I believe it was Drew who spilled his milk all over Peter's binder and made fun of him and as he walked away Josie tripped him. Drew of course fell. Also when they were younger Josie punched someone in the face to stick up for Peter. While they where young things were easier but then Josie got older it all changed, one time she had to do a project for a class with a partner, her partner ended up being Courtney. While Josie was at her house she noticed how Courtney's bedroom was different then hers and how she had makeup and other things that Josie did not have. When Courtney left the room Josie put on her lipstick and got caught when Courtney came back, then Courtney said it looks nice on you. It all started then at that moment Josie wanted more than just Peter she wanted friends who were popular. As the story goes on you see how Josie changes and how Peter changes he still gets picked on but at one point you see him want to be a part of the group when he picks on the girl who gets her period in school. There is this moment when he is a part of and is the person who starts picking on this girl, but then you see how it affects him when the girl starts crying, he then wants everyone to stop. Peter basically has a heart and a side to him that wants to be accepted for who he is. He finds a friend in Derek who sits the bench with Peter on what ever sport they get on. He also shares Peter's love for the computer playing and creating games. This popularity theme is played out over and over again in this story. Matt, Josie’s boyfriend even worries what people think of him, one time him and Josie are over someone’s house drinking and all of the sudden he wants to leave and Josie doesn’t and he physically crabs her arm and demands that she go with him, he then says to her that she better never embarrass him again. Matt does not want his friends to have a reason to pick on him. Popularity is also an adult issue as well. Josie’s mom Alex has to always maintain this image even when she is out to dinner with Josie of being the Judge, she tries to make sure Josie doesn’t make her look like a bad mother and Alex never lets her guard down in public for fear people will talk about her. Trying to fit in effects people of all ages and changes peoples lives.