Dr. William R. Hughes
English 161
14 June 2015
In-Groups and Out-groups
When people think of groups they often think of their friends and family, but there is many groups beyond that. As people think of groups they think that those are the ones who everyone gets along in the group which is correct but there is more to it than getting along in the group. People do not often think about beliefs, race, family, college, work, or even classes as groups. In society, there are many groups that are out there but not as noticeable as others. In-groups often relate to what surrounds you. Family is a big impact on in-groups. A person is use to the cooking, the family members, the environment, language, religion, etc. As a child he/she will develop a everyday lifestyle as to what is provided and is around them, which soon becomes the group for the child as the child grows. At the age of around nine or ten the child will start realizing and understanding all of the groups he/she is in without trying, for example, his/her religion, race, friends. He/she will also realize the differences of groups like as to how whites are different than Jews. They are two different races and the child will understand that those are two different groups. In-groups dealing with the sex can often go many ways. Groups dealing with gender vary depending on the group people are in as to grade in school or simply a persons age. Starting off at the young age stage, often young children do not care about what type of sex they are “playing” with or talking to. The child will often think of them as just another person because they are too young to understand the groups. Ages around ten or eleven is when the opposite sex’s separate because they realize they are two different groups and they aren’t exactly sure what to expect. As the children grow they understand that different groups are even in the two sex’s. The older the child the more he/she will understand and cope what is developing around them. Rivalries usually come up between in-groups. Arguments that occur most are between religions. Some have stronger beliefs than others and often feel disrespected if someone goes against what they believe in because their faith is so strong to them. Arguments between the religions can also fight for peace, they don’t want fighting. Groups don’t always get along because they are all different. Groups that are different than yours draw the groups attention because they’re different than what you’re used to. Some people don’t get along with other groups because they feel like they’re group is how it should be and is defensive about it. Also everyone has different