Teachers are revealing how middle school and high school cliques have evolved for the current generation of students — and while there are still jocks and band geeks, Gen Z's friend groups also include K-pop superfans, influencer wannabes, and even the stock market-obsessed.
The educators shared their knowledge on Reddit this week, responding to the question: 'What are the new student groups replacing the ones (emo, goth, drama, etc.) that used to be a thing when you were attending school?'
Thousands have chimed in, with several observing a noticeable number of students who are dying to be internet famous, and others saying that kids in their school divide themselves up by their love of anime, vaping, and even therapy.
Gen-Z: Teachers are revealing how middle school and high school cliques have evolved for the current generation of students (stock image)
MIDDLE SCHOOL 'STONKS'
Certainly one of the most shocking and bizarre revelations was that some American middle schoolers are playing the stock market — and they mean business.
Teachers who have seen these youngsters in action claim that they are doing far more than simply discussing stocks and investments, they are actually putting their allowances where their mouths are.
'While a lot of those groups [goth, drama, etc.] still exist in some form or another, the most unexpected group I've seen this year is a growing number of middle schoolers who everyone calls "the stonks." They legit discuss the stock market at lunch,' one woman wrote.
Other commenters confirmed that this isn't just in one school.
One added: 'One of my friends legit pulled out his phone and showed his 17 hundred dollars in amazon stock. He's 13 by the way.'
'I'm a teacher and one of my students made a decent chunk off the GameStop stuff. There are a number of Stonks clubs and they understand investing more than I do,' said another.