Final answer:
High school students are influenced in their gender socialization by peers, who can reinforce gender roles by reacting negatively to behaviors outside typical gender norms. Peer groups, as an essential agent of socialization, cultivate and uphold gender-specific behavioral expectations.
Step-by-step explanation:
The influence of peers on the gender socialization of high school students is significant. Peers often reinforce gender roles by critically responding to those who exhibit behaviors not aligned with their socially assigned gender norms. Gender socialization is fostered through various agents such as family, education, peer groups, and mass media, each perpetuating expectations for gender-specific behavior. In high schools, peer groups provide a distinctive socialization setting, distinct from family influences, and can result in pressure to conform to established gender norms, which may include reinforcing stereotypes or marginalizing non-conformity.