Peer Mediation's Social Experiment

"Why are YOU wearing THAT?"
by Martin Zazueta

It was an interesting day at SOH when the Peer Mediation class, taught by Mr. Rodriguez, decided to take on a social experiment of their own design. The purpose of the experiment was for the students to step out of their comfort zone and dress up in style that was the opposite of what they would normally wear. Then the students were to observe the student body's reaction, in order to understand the student body's sense of visual identity.

The experiment went well as most students were completely unaware of the student' motives for dressing differently and were thus able to get authentic responses. And not surprisingly the peer mediation class did receive reactions from the rest of the students.

The 'peers' had a mind-opening experience as their "friends" would say things like "What's wrong with you?" or "Are you acting out because you just broke up?", as if their friend had to be mentally delusional to want to dress the way they were. Also the 'peers' noticed that they were stared at a lot "even by the moms dropping off their kids". One girl even examined a 'peer' up and down with disgusted look. But not all reactions were mean or cruel: several 'Peers' were actually spoken to more by people who wouldn't normally have spoken to them. Also several of them had friends who complimented them for their attire, which got them to realize how true or untrue their friends were.

From this experience the 'peers' were unable to comprehend the extent of the student body's view of what people should be like (as in the movie High School Musical with the song "Stick to the Status Quo"), and their response if they "just change yourself a bit". When analyzing their results the 'peers', with Mr. Rodriguez's guidance, were able to deduce that the student body is very critical and cares too much about image, especially when "friends' attitudes change with your clothes". The 'peers' also wanted to point out that the group of people who try to start trends are the people who also try to start rumors because they have this need to have attention one way or another.

In the end the 'peers' learned valuable life lessons, learned "not to be afraid to be different" because they will be able to find their true friends that way and it would feel "good to get out of their routine". With these new life lessons the 'peers' now have more confidence and are more willing to do things such as this, and, more importantly, they will actively apply the ideas they learn from this class outside the classroom. From what it looks like this group of students represent, however 'lame' it may sound, how the Raider Way should be followed for all students and hopefully they be able to help others to have the same attitude.