Are American High schools really like they are in Movies/Books?

Question

Do you know what I mean? Stereotypical. Think Mean girls, High school Musical, American Pie, Grease, and books like Teen Idol.

I'm from New Zealand, and my school is nothing like that. Stereotypes are not that obvious. For example, I'm in the top teams for my sports, but at the same time are pretty much obsessed with computers. Then I'm really into fashion and design.
Sure, there are some straight out 'freaks' at my school, and then there's groups of 'cool' people, but the lines between them all are entirely blurred. It would be hard to make a clear definition.

Could you, say, go into the school canteen (lunch room, what ever you call it) and label the groups of people sitting at the table?

Also, does everyone in the school really turn up for all the games, of the school's top basketball/baseball/american football team? Is there really that much school pride?

It just seems so... un-imagine-able.

Do you know what I mean? Stereotypical. Think Mean girls, High school Musical, American Pie, Grease, and books like Teen Idol.

I'm from New Zealand, and my school is nothing like that. Stereotypes are not that obvious. For example, I'm in the top teams for my sports, but at the same time are pretty much obsessed with computers. Then I'm really into fashion and design.
Sure, there are some straight out 'freaks' at my school, and then there's groups of 'cool' people, but the lines between them all are entirely blurred. It would be hard to make a clear definition.

Could you, say, go into the school canteen (lunch room, what ever you call it) and label the groups of people sitting at the table?

Also, does everyone in the school really turn up for all the games, of the school's top basketball/baseball/american football team? Is there really that much school pride?

(Ps, *I've got nothing against America, and of course it's not exactly like the movies*

Sorry about that! I don't know how to work this that well!

Answer 1

I don't live in the U.S. but I live in Toronto, Canada. We are about 1 hour from the U.S. border. Canada is a very Americanized country, since we are so close to the U.S. so it's basically the same.

At my school, if I walk into the cafeteria, I can see some groups, like the goths because they wear all black, and the nerds/losers/dorks sit together and it's easy to tell who's a loser (I know that sounds awful, but that's what people are like over here). Black kids usually sit together at my school. The preppy mean girls are noticable once you get to know them (but even if you don't, people spread the word). Sometimes it's easy to spot the preps because they usually wear Abercrombie or Hollister clothes (it's a popular store in the U.S. and Canada ... check out there sites). There is a "queen bee" at my school, her name is Alyssa, and everyone wants to be her friend. I live in a small town, so everyone knows each other. In a big city it's probably different, and more multi cultural in the schools.

As for the sports, it really depends on how good the team is, and if it's a small town or big city. In my town, a lot of people will show up for the school football team, especially when they are playing the rival town near us. In the cities they are not as sports obsessed as the small town high schools. Schools in the southern U.S. and Texas are more into the school pride than the schools here in Canada. It's usually football and basketball that gets the most support and attendance.

The movies are definantly based on what it's like, but sometimes it's extreme. Like in the movie Mean Girls, they make it seem like no one cares for each other even under the most horible circumstances. In real life, if someone is seriously getting bullied or harassed by a person, most people would help them out.

Answer 2

Nothing anywhere, is just like it is in the movies. Things are exaggerated to the extreme, to make the plot interesting.

The only exception is, there is a small sector of the population anywhere, that is so insecure, that they act like the people in movies they see, because they have no identity themselves.

I just laugh at some of the things I hear some people from other companies criticizing Americans about, because it's like asking if all Australians go around hunting Aligators, or "putting shrimp on the barbie" or some other stupid stereotype.

Answer 3

Here are some good ones I remember reading and enjoying, both in high school and after: Kent State: What Happened and Why by James Michener The Drifters by James Michener Tales of the South Pacific by James Michener Phantom by Susan Kay Into Thin Air by Jon Krakauer The Perfect Storm by Sebastian Junger Raise the Titanic by Clive Cussler Maskerade by Terry Pratchett Lords and Ladies by Terry Pratchett Wyrd Sisters by Terry Pratchett the Dark Tower series by Stephen King Eyes of the Dragon by Stephen King

Answer 4

Like you've said, it's just a movie. However some things are similar. Just not everything. Like the school pride, and labels of people. It's all based on realistic aspects of High School in America. Like e.g.: gangsters, preppy, asians. Sometimes things differ, but that's just life. Heh.

Answer 5

Yes and no, at least in my old high school. There are a lot of groups which isolate everyone else, and school pride is not that great. There is a group of mean girls, but they often change personas often. Its a changing enviroment in my opinion.

Answer 6

Yes AND no. It depends on where you live in America. Smaller towns tend to support their local school teams. Larger cities show up just to socialize.

You will find every different type of school in every different type of community.

New Zealand is cool.

Answer 7

When I was in school it wasn't anything like the movies. When it came to school pride, everyone showed up for the games.

Answer 8

no, there much worse. well at least my high school is... i live in a pretty rich town so theres a bunch of really bit chy girls. also my school was rated 2nd in the nation in people who smoke pot. Sooooooo ya

Answer 9

A little bit, but in reality no. It also depends on the high school, inner city high schools are different from high schools in the suburbs. but in reality they exagerate most everything in movies.

Answer 10

I don't know. I wish my high school was like Fast Times at Ridgemont High.