Aggressiveness in Girls
When people think of a bully, they picture an oversize older boy picking on the younger nerdy boys for their milk money, lunch, etc. It is a common stereotype because boys are more likely than girls to engage in bullying activity, especially when it comes to physical violence (Sheras, 2002, p.25). Bullies come in all shapes, sizes, ages, and even gender. It is less obvious in girls to be bullies because our society today views females as being gentle and nature, and it isn't lady like to be involved in aggressive behavior.
There is a hidden culture of girl's aggression in which bullying is epidemic, distinctive, and destructive. Girls use backbiting, exclusion, rumors, name-calling, and manipulation to inflict psychological pain on targeted victims. Unlike boys, who tend to bully acquaintances or strangers, girls attack within their own group of friends. This makes it harder to identify and increases the damage to the victims (Simmons, 2002, p. 3).
It is far too imperative that we learn the signs of aggression and the signs of the aggressors so we may learn the causes of this phenomenon. Especially in female aggression, we tend to overlook the obvious. We don't see girls as being aggressive but just doing what girls do. But those of us who know what it is like first hand to be victimized and ostracized by our own friends still feel the long lasting effects it has on our lives.
Bullying in girls is said to peak between the ages of ten and fourteen (Simmons, 2002, p. 4). This adolescent period is characterized by physical changes as well as cognitive and social-emotional changes. During this time, an adolescents' relationship with her peers is most important for support and approval of ...
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...you, it is possible to overcome a bullying situation. Facing the aggressors themselves should not be considered. Knowing that there is family there for support is always a benefit. The most important thing to know is that it is not at all your fault if you become the victim of aggression. Know that you are not alone in your struggle and know that when it is over you will come out of the situation knowing yourself better and will be able to help other cope in the same situation.
References
Morris, C. G., & Maisto, A.A. (2001). Understanding Psychology (5th ed.). New
Jersey: Prentice-Hall, Inc.
Sheras, P. & Tippins, S (2002). Your Child: Bully or Victim? : Understanding and
Ending School Yard Tyranny. USA: Skylight Press
Simmons, Rachel (2002). ODD GIRL OUT: The hidden culture of aggression in
girls. USA: Harcourt, Inc.
Rachel Simmons was amazed there were so many books regarding aggression in boys, but was unable to find any books on the subject of girls’ aggression. The experiments that were conducted regarding aggression were also only performed using males. Many psychologists considered aggression to be behavior such as hitting, punching, name calling and threatening others as a male issue. Simmons discovered from the many interviews she conducted on women that aggression is just as much a female issue. In her book, “The Odd Girl Out: The hidden culture of aggression in girls”, Simmons interviews many women and girls who were victims of bullying, were the actual bully, and also people who witnessed the abuse. Simmons’ purpose for writing this book was to make everyone aware of the secretive way girls bully each other, and to show how they hide their aggression, which many times is the result of their own struggle for acceptance. This book was effective because Simmons also gives the reader suggestions to help everyone involved in some form of aggressive behavior know how to deal with this behavior, and the lifelong consequences it has on everyone involved.
Salmivalli, C. (2010). Bullying and the peer group: A review. Aggression & Violent Behavior, 15(2), 112-120. doi:10.1016/j.avb.2009.08.007
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In a CNN study by Chuck Hadad he states “That bullying is pervasive even though the schools have anti-bullying programs from kindergarten through 12th grade, assemblies throughout the year, and a peer-to-peer program where older students talk to younger students about the dangers of bullying” (Hadad). Robert Faris, a sociologist found that bullies and victims are generally the same person. Whe...
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