Do They Really Dislike Social Studies? A Study of Middle School and High School Students

Building on previous research conducted over the past thirty years, this study attempts to inquire about students’ attitudes towards social studies. Using a phenomenological research approach, two groups of eighth and eleventh grade students were interviewed. A total of forty-eight students were selected to participate in the study. With teacher and learning variables, previous research, and the research questions in mind, there was an emergence of two dominant themes that related to the analysis of the information provided by the students. The first theme suggested active involvement and teacher enthusiasm led to positive images of social studies by middle and high school students. While the second theme suggested perceived utilitarian value or lack of it, was a major factor regarding both middle and high school students’ views of social studies. Generally, students were not as negative toward social studies as indicated in previous research studies.