Society and Social Statuses

As I was pondering to myself on what to do for my personal learning network, I came across an article called "Cheerleaders, Nerds, and Football Players OH MY!" by William Rosworth /blog/archives/2010/05/social_status_a.html/daily/beast about Social Rankings and High School. So what exactly makes us have such a drive to be "popular"? Is it for our personal happiness? Or just the approval of other people thats makes us happy?  The sad part of it is it's true for some people in high school.  And it's not just in High School, its also in the society. In the past, it mostly had to do with how much money you owned. Although I'm not saying that there still isn't that mistreatment today.  People are should all be treated equal, and shouldn't be used for your own personal gain of popularity. This also made me think if society is shaping your own personality. If your not the perfect picture, you don't "fit in with the crowd." But why do people have the tendency to stereotype? Is it just simply human nature? Although for my own personal high school experience I plan to do what makes me happy and to make as many friendships as possible. You should never be taken back by someone, or take someone for granted because one day they could be gone in an instant. In 2006 my friend/classmate McKaila J. Steffes had passed away due to leukemia when she was just 10 years old. Through the years she has taught me so much on the meaning of friendship. I still regret to this day how I wish I could have known her better. She taught me not to "judge a book by its cover" and look beyond people. I mean why do we have friends in the first place? To help us get through life situations where maybe you can't deal with them yourself, or just to simply make you laugh. Because you could miss out on a lot of extraordinary life experiences if you pass them by.  "Forget the wrongs of the past, but treasure the moments with the ones you love. "Expect for the future for it is YOU who makes your destiny, and live for the present, after all thats why it's called a gift." -Me