by Jenny Turpin

Created on: February 22, 2009

Taking a closer look at female bullying is no where near as pretty as the girls involved.

Girl bullying,also known as rational aggression,has been steadily growing since the early 1990's and continues to get worse.

This ever growing problem has been contributed to a lack of self esteem and the more violence that is being portrayed by females in movies.

In comparison to boys, it seems on the surface to be the same,a display of relative strength,but when looking deeper there are several differences.

It seems that females tend to be much more calculated in their attacks. They lean toward emotional abuse and humiliation along with the violence exhibited by male bullys. Female bullys also tend to be more recurrent than isolated and are no where near as short lived in their attentions as boys. Girls are more apt to hold grudges and their bullying can be focused on a victim for years.

Girls focus on how others are different and often chose their victem upon this standard. This may be attributed to what they see in magazines as being hip or in style but it is nonetheless the choice of the bully as to who will feel her wrath. Physical attributes,social status,personality,all of these are reasons.

Female bullys are often times categorized as being popular and are often times the ones seen as role models. Thus giving them their power. In truth,they are exhibiting unhealthy behavior.

Looking at some of the way these female bullys work we see ostracizing of their victims. Ignoring them as punishment or excluding them for revenge.

They hold grudges that can last for years thus tormenting their victims for the duration. There is the manipulating of others and sabotaging relationships with gossip that can borderline brilliance in it's achievement to ruin their adversary.

Girl bullying is not a thing to be taken lightly. It's effects can follow a victim for years even after they have left it's influence. It is serious and it is in our schools. No matter the side the child is on,it is not healthy and will cause lifelong effects for all involved.

For literature and help pertaining to this subject,I would definately refer you to a book written by Rachel Simmons called Odd Girl Out-hidden culture of aggression in girls. It is informative and helpful. It gives girls a choice and a path to take when there seems to be none. It even helps the bully understand that you don't have to be a bully anymore.

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