“I didn't want to tell anybody, no adult”: Analyzing School and Social Belonging Among Minoritized Middle and High School Youth

• In Event: Racial Integration, Belonging and Gaps Across States, Districts and Schools

Abstract

Belonging in school shapes youth’s social, emotional, and academic wellbeing. Social science research explores school belonging and its relationship to academic achievement, often overlooking the social and cultural aspects of belonging. Our mixed-methods study expands this understanding through Stanton Salazar’s conceptualization of social networks and relationships. Drawing on 2200 open-ended responses to a youth belonging survey in a diverse school district, we highlight youth perspectives of belonging and their racial/ethnic identity. Findings reveal three themes: 1) positive adult-student interactions related to teacher demeanor, 2) a climate of normalized discrimination, and 3) students’ hope for change. We offer recommendations for schools to encourage meaningful and trustworthy relationships with students, promoting their holistic wellbeing.

Authors

• Sophia Rodriguez, New York University

• Dulce Lopez Alvarez, New York University

• Melissa Ortiz, New York University