ERIC Number: EJ1418570
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2024
Pages: 10
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-1096-2409
EISSN: N/A
Available Date: N/A
Reimagining Groups: A Phenomenological Investigation of Affinity Groups in Schools
Jordon J. Beasley; Kara P. Ieva; Sam Steen
Professional School Counseling, v28 n1a 2024
This study provides insight into the role of affinity groups within educational environments focusing on the perspectives of school counseling practitioners who facilitate these groups. Affinity groups, designed to bring together students with shared identities or interests, serve as spaces for supportive dialogue, learning, and empowerment. The research study utilizes a qualitative, descriptive phenomenological approach to capture the subjective realities shaped by participants' unique intersecting identities and social contexts. Through in-depth narratives gathered from consenting school counseling practitioners, the study addresses key questions about the definition, operationalization, and implementation of affinity groups in educational settings. The analysis identifies six consistent themes: affinity groups at the Tier 1 level, evaluation, connection, agency, stigma, and safety. Participants' individual stories enrich the exploration of these themes, shedding light on the varied experiences within affinity spaces in educational environments.
Descriptors: School Counselors, Females, Public Schools, Elementary Secondary Education, Self Concept, Peer Relationship, Student Organizations, Educational Environment, Intersectionality, Facilitators (Individuals)
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Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: Elementary Secondary Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A
Author Affiliations: N/A