The ABCs of Middle School Boys: ‘B’ is for Belonging

This is part 2 of a three-part series on supporting adolescent boys.

In part one of this three-part series, we addressed the distinct challenges and fears that come along with parenting a middle school boy. We assured you that feeling uncomfortable and uncertain about your parenting techniques is normal, and that it’s healthy and developmentally appropriate for your son to distance himself from you during this time.  

Recently we examined the role that acceptance plays in an adolescent boy’s life. Today we look at “B” of Fessenden’s School Psychologist Dr. Kristin Harris’ “ABCs of Middle School Boys.” Dr. Harris is the school psychologist at The Fessenden School, a leading junior boarding school and private middle school in Massachusetts.

‘B’ IS FOR BELONGING

According to Dr. Harris, belonging is the primary emotional driver for boys in middle school.

“More than anything in the world, they want to belong to a group of boys; they want to have a ‘Band of Brothers,’” explains Dr. Harris. She adds that being part of a group is critically important to a boy’s comfort level at school—so much so that it is common for a child’s interest in academics to take a nosedive during these years as they place a greater emphasis on social aspects of school. The American Psychological Association refers to this as the “Middle School Malaise.”

Concerned parents can rest assured that this doesn’t necessarily mean that middle school students won’t achieve academic success; many students will continue to push to get good grades. But it often plays second fiddle to a need to socialize and fit in with their peers. Dr. Harris hears students explain that they’re receiving good grades and faring well in school, but their response is often, “I just don’t want to get a worse grade than my friends.” Children become acutely aware of their desire to blend in with those around them. “They don’t want to stick out,” shares Dr. Harris. “The desire to affiliate exists for a very specific reason: boys are very uncomfortable, and their identities are confused. They don’t have a good sense of ‘self’ yet.”

How Social Groups Shift in Middle School

So how do social groups differ from the groups of friends your child has had since Pre-K?

According to Dr. Harris, “They tend to be more fluid in younger grades; one student can be a best friend and the next day an enemy. In middle school, social circles are far more rigid than they have been in the past.” Early in the year it is common for a boy to come home and say that he doesn’t have any friends. It can feel isolating and uncomfortable to feel like you don’t have a group or a sense of belonging.

Don’t be alarmed if your child feels this way, but talk to a teacher or a counselor if the problem persists. While these feelings are common, it’s important to stay observant. If the problem persists, talk to a teacher or counselor for guidance, especially in a close-knit setting like a junior boarding school, where social support is built into daily life.

The Many Ways Middle School Boys Seek Belonging

As the parent of a middle school boy, it probably won’t surprise you to learn that boys are looking to use any tactic they have to fit into a social group. These can be very sophisticated or very primitive tactics, says Dr. Harris, including:

• Mimicking popular music or fashion
• Owning certain games or devices
• Shifting opinions to align with peers
• Seeking laughs through silly or even inappropriate behavior
  

“They will change their opinions and deviate from what you thought you taught them just to fit into a group. They might resort to getting some laughs at sophomoric behavior just to get people to notice and like them.”

At the end of the day, boys don’t want to feel different or alone.

This is where the value of a structured, supportive school environment comes into play. At a private middle school or independent school in Massachusetts like Fessenden, faculty and staff are trained to recognize and guide these social dynamics in healthy directions.

Belonging Is Normal—But Teachable

As a parent witnessing these behavioral changes in your child and his peers, remember that the middle school years offer many teachable moments that you can use to help your child mature into a socially responsible adult. Most of all, remember that everything you’re experiencing is perfectly normal.

Learn More About The Fessenden Difference

Explore how The Fessenden School supports belonging, character growth, and social development in boys. Learn why families trust our junior boarding school and private middle school in Massachusetts to guide boys through these transformative years.