Cliques in our youth

[steve-in-kville]

If a church has this issue with its youth, guaranteed they already have the same issue with full grown adults.

Agreed 100%. One of our local conservative Mennonite high schools in the area was horrible for cliques. I was of the opinion that the adults were just as bad and because they were, they certainly weren't going to address the issue with the young people who attended.

I think I know which one. Some folks from our church withdrew their children sent them elsewhere because they it got so bad.

[Grace]

If a church has this issue with its youth, guaranteed they already have the same issue with full grown adults.

Agreed 100%. One of our local conservative Mennonite high schools in the area was horrible for cliques. I was of the opinion that the adults were just as bad and because they were, they certainly weren't going to address the issue with the young people who attended.

I think I know which one. Some folks from our church withdrew their children sent them elsewhere because they it got so bad.

The one just outside of Terre Hill ?

[steve-in-kville]

Agreed 100%. One of our local conservative Mennonite high schools in the area was horrible for cliques. I was of the opinion that the adults were just as bad and because they were, they certainly weren't going to address the issue with the young people who attended.

I think I know which one. Some folks from our church withdrew their children sent them elsewhere because they it got so bad.

The one just outside of Terre Hill ?

Is that the one that built some huge addition? Or a new building entirely?

[Grace]

I think I know which one. Some folks from our church withdrew their children sent them elsewhere because they it got so bad.

The one just outside of Terre Hill ?

Is that the one that built some huge addition? Or a new building entirely?

If you are thinking Ephrata Mennonite School, no I wasn't referring to that school.

[steve-in-kville]

The one just outside of Terre Hill ?

Is that the one that built some huge addition? Or a new building entirely?

If you are thinking Ephrata Mennonite School, no I wasn't referring to that school.

I should ask before I take anymore stabs in the dark

[Josh]

I’m going to say the fault lies squarely with the parents. I don’t need to name names - you all know who they are.

[Ken]

The same issue exists in every single school and youth group, religious or otherwise. Public schools are certainly no different.

Whether it is an actual problem or not depends largely on the parents and adults who are running things, and whether or not they put up with and aid/abet this sort of thing. Or whether they model more inclusive behavior. Youth are malleable. They will pick up on and follow the tone that you set.

[Ernie]

I try to help our daughters understand that those who are involved in cliques, whether adults, youth or children, are underdeveloped and insecure. Such people try to surround themselves with "yes people".

[barnhart]

I don't know anything about this situation, but hypothetically I would take it seriously. It could be an indicator of community level dysfunction. Freedom of conscience is a delicate thing that can easily devolve into legalism and struggle for control. The children are likely picking up on something "in the air".

[RZehr]

Lot of good observations in this thread.