Affiliation Patterns among American Girls

As part of a larger study, affiliation behavior was studied among a national probability sample of more than 2,000 girls aged 7-17. Membership in traditional youth agency groups reaches its peak between the ages 8-10, whereas informal groups such as clubs show increasing attraction for girls after the period of membership in traditional youth agencies. Although social action groups have become increasingly popular, fewer than 1 to 10 girls between the ages of 13-17 claim such membership. The affiliation behavior in terms of alienation theory which explains the data less well than theories of identity formation or adult role testing is discussed. 2 Tables. AA.