Friendship segregation

2001
united states

Friendship segregation refers to the phenomenon of people grouping together and forming friendships with others who are similar to them in terms of characteristics such as race, ethnicity, socioeconomic status, or interests, while excluding those who are different. This can result in social segregation and limited interactions between different social groups.

Friendship segregation can occur due to various factors such as societal norms, personal preferences, implicit biases, or limited opportunities for cross-group interactions. It can perpetuate stereotypes, increase prejudice, and hinder social integration. It can also lead to the formation of cliques or exclusive groups, which can be exclusionary and ostracizing for individuals who do not fit into the dominant group.

Friendship segregation can have negative consequences for individuals and society as a whole. It can limit opportunities for diverse perspectives, cultural exchange, and understanding. It can also contribute to social inequalities and reinforce patterns of discrimination and marginalization.

Efforts to address friendship segregation can involve promoting diversity and inclusion, encouraging cross-group interactions and friendships, providing opportunities for people from different backgrounds to engage in shared activities, and challenging stereotypes and biases. Creating inclusive environments and fostering a sense of belonging for all individuals can also help combat friendship segregation and promote social cohesion.

Further reading

Kretschmer D.; Leszczensky L. (2022) "In Group Bias or Out Group Reluctance? The Interplay of Gender and Religion in Creating Religious Friendship Segregation among Muslim Youth", Social Forces, 100(3), pp. 1307-1332. Oxford University Press. DOI: 10.1093/sf/soab029

Kretschmer D.; Leszczensky L. (2022) "In Group Bias or Out Group Reluctance? The Interplay of Gender and Religion in Creating Religious Friendship Segregation among Muslim Youth", Social Forces, 100(3), pp. 1307-1332. Oxford University Press. DOI: 10.1093/sf/soab029

Diemer A. (2022) "Endogenous peer effects in diverse friendship networks: Evidence from Swedish classrooms", Economics of Education Review, 89(), pp. -. Elsevier Ltd. DOI: 10.1016/j.econedurev.2022.102269

Arcidiacono P.; Aucejo E.; Hussey A.; Spenner K. (2013) "Racial segregation patterns in selective universities", Journal of Law and Economics, 56(4), pp. 1039-1060. . DOI: 10.1086/674056

Leszczensky L.; Kretschmer D. (2022) "Religious friendship preferences of Muslim and non Muslim students in German schools: Bright boundaries everywhere or contingent on the proportion of Muslim classmates?", Social Networks, 68(), pp. 60-69. Elsevier B.V.. DOI: 10.1016/j.socnet.2021.04.005

Leszczensky L.; Stark T.H. (2019) "Understanding the causes and consequences of segregation in youth’s friendship networks: Opportunities and challenges for research", Youth in Superdiverse Societies: Growing up with globalization, diversity, and acculturation, 233-248. Taylor and Francis. DOI: 10.4324/9781351040266-18

Carter E.R.; Murphy M.C. (2017) "Consensus and consistency: Exposure to multiple discrimination claims shapes Whites' intergroup attitudes", Journal of Experimental Social Psychology, 73(), pp. 24-33. Academic Press Inc.. DOI: 10.1016/j.jesp.2017.06.001

Leszczensky L.; Pink S. (2015) "Ethnic segregation of friendship networks in school: Testing a rational choice argument of differences in ethnic homophily between classroom and grade level networks", Social Networks, 42(), pp. 18-26. Elsevier. DOI: 10.1016/j.socnet.2015.02.002

Zhao L. (2023) "Networks in the making: Friendship segregation and ethnic homophily", Social Science Research, 110(), pp. -. Academic Press Inc.. DOI: 10.1016/j.ssresearch.2022.102813

Kroneberg C.; Kruse H.; Wimmer A. (2021) "When Ethnicity and Gender Align: Classroom Composition, Friendship Segregation, and Collective Identities in European Schools", European Sociological Review, 37(6), pp. 918-934. Oxford University Press. DOI: 10.1093/esr/jcab013

Temkin D.A.; Gest S.D.; Osgood D.W.; Feinberg M.; Moody J. (2018) "Social Network Implications of Normative School Transitions in Non Urban School Districts", Youth and Society, 50(4), pp. 462-484. SAGE Publications Inc.. DOI: 10.1177/0044118X15607164

Smith S.; McFarland D.A.; Tubergen F.V.; Maas I. (2016) "Ethnic composition and friendship segregation: Differential effects for adolescent natives and immigrants", American Journal of Sociology, 121(4), pp. 1223-1272. University of Chicago Press. DOI: 10.1086/684032

Stark T.H.; Flache A. (2012) "The double edge of common interest: Ethnic segregation as an unintended byproduct of opinion homophily", Sociology of Education, 85(2), pp. 179-199. . DOI: 10.1177/0038040711427314

Mouw T.; Entwisle B. (2006) "Residential segregation and interracial friendship in schools", American Journal of Sociology, 112(2), pp. 394-441. . DOI: 10.1086/506415

Mouw T.; Entwisle B. (2006) "Residential segregation and interracial friendship in schools", American Journal of Sociology, 112(2), pp. 394-441. . DOI: 10.1086/506415

Mouw T.; Entwisle B. (2006) "Residential segregation and interracial friendship in schools", American Journal of Sociology, 112(2), pp. 394-441. . DOI: 10.1086/506415

Quillian L.; Campbell M.E. (2003) "Beyond black and white: The present and future of multiracial friendship segregation", American Sociological Review, 68(4), pp. 540-566. American Sociological Association. DOI: 10.2307/1519738

Moody J. (2001) "Race, school integration, and friendship segregation in America", American Journal of Sociology, 10(3), pp. 679-716. University of Chicago Press. DOI: 10.1086/338954