Knowing a group's social grouping

Many years ago a youth leader commented that a youth group will always be from one school social group, and if someone from outside that group joins the youth group, they will not stay. This is hard to accept, theologically and I have given hints on overcoming this, but generally speaking this is a truism.

• There will be occasional youth that are oblivious to exclusion and stay
• There will be occasional youth who don't care about social structures and will make friends within any social group (sometimes these are called social “floaters”)
• Although it is difficult, a group can represent multiple schools but they tend to be from similar and compatible groups from the different schools
• By far the best hint for overcoming incompatible groups is for them to go on a retreat or trip together. If there are efforts to mix and match across the lines and they have enough time to just talk they can form bonds and experiences that are greater than the social incompatibilities.
• Lectures, talks and programs may be valuable in the long run, but they will not apply these to their situation. (I particularly remember a youth group program where the youth insisted that their school had no racism and there was no division or discrimination against the Koreans. Then, once the program was over and they were chatting among themselves I heard many harsh statements against the “Korean Posse.”)