Mean Girls!

Mean Girls!

Monica HarrisonCounselorElmore County Alternative ProgramA Look At Girl Bullying

The U. S. Department of Education s Office of Civil Rights is collecting new data beginning in 2010 to ensure students rightsThe new data will cover topics such as students participation in algebra and other college prep subjects, retention, teacher experience/absenteeism, school funding, HARASSMENT, restraint/seclusion, and additional information related to discipline.Complaints and court settlements for violation of student civil rights have cost school districts millions of dollarsSection 504Americans with Disabilities Amendment ACTTitle VI (race and national origin)Title XI (gender, pregnancy, parenting student)Age Discrimination ActEqual Access ActFamily Education Rights and Privacy Act (disclosure of student information)Old School = Female Bullying New Term= Relational AggressionRA= Emotional Violence and Bullying Behaviors focused on damaging an individuals social connections within the peer group.Use relationships instead of fists.

Relational Aggression:RumorsCliquesSocial RejectionGossipingSocial ExclusionSocial Aggression

Mean Girls Weapons Name Calling *Cyber BullyingInsults*Sexual HarassmentIgnoring*IntimidationTaunting *Physical AssaultsExcluding *Body LanguageTeasingBossing someoneTextingFacebook

Body Language Packs a Punch!Eye RollingHand GesturesFacial ExpressionsWhisperingAttitude StanceGrouping

Problem Solving TipsTeach girls to become self-aware of facial expressions and body language. Maybe they are not aware how others perceive them. Even adolescents do not always read facial expressions correctly (Especially Special Ed. Students)

Perception is key

RAGE Invoking Issues Facing GirlsParental/Family IssuesGrief & Loss/AbandonmentLack of Social SkillsLack of Connected RelationshipsPerceived DisrespectBoys, Boys, Boys (oh, boy!)

Relational Aggression (RA)UniversalEconomicRacialEthnicAgeEducational Level

WHY Relational AggressionRetaliationLack of coping skills in dealing with conflictPower and statusFear & JealousyLack of connected relationshipsAGAIN (BOYS!)SocializationLow Self-esteemCopying TV, movies, music, videosPeer and parental influenceBoredomEarly Onset of PubertyMedical

Current Stats:70% of girls have been maltreated by their friends.NEA reports that 200,000 children miss school each month due to fear of being emotionally tormented.The #1 concern of girls ages 8-17 is being teased, embarrassed, and bullied.

Girls & Crime2005 FBI Stats indicate:64% increase-murder114% increase-robbery137% increase aggravated assault126% increase other assaults

Girl Violence Statistics2003- Girls constituted 18% of arrest for crimesToday That % is increasing at an alarming rate (Girls and Violence studies have been neglected until recently)**********************************School reports show nearly 80% of school fights are girl vs. girl

School counselors say theyre surprised at the complexity of the relationships in girl bullying

Girl Violence StatisticsTo put thing in perspective:

In the last decade female juveniles arrested for violent crimes (murder, robbery, aggravated assault, etc.) increased 25% ...................................................Vs................NO! % increase in arrest of male juveniles during the same time

Media and Other InfluencesTVReality Shows! (top 10% of pre-teen viewing) Books & MagazinesTeen Role-models Movies- Mean Girls, Vampire EpicsClothing-Designer Toys: Bratz vs. Old Babies/DollsMusic Videos Video Hoe New CartoonsYou-Tube, Internet, Instant Message, Texting

Queen BeeThe Queen has issuesIn order for Queen Bee to stay on top, she has to keep things going Her subordinates will do/say things for her so she will not bully them DO NOT put Queen Bee and victim together to confront each other

Socioeconomic and Class StatusTeens do not differ by ethnicity on measures of overt RA and victimization

However, relationships/school rules are generally based on white middle class norms

These norms come from hidden rules that may not be understood by children living in poverty or from other cultural backgrounds

Establish BOUNDARIES at SCHOOL!IN THIS PLACE, AT THIS TIME, THIS IS THE RULE.

You explicitly let the child know, that while it may not be the custom at home or in their community, while in this school or in this classroom (BUS), these are the rules for proper behaviorIn this place, at this time, this is the rule.

The Safe Zone

Nice AdviceIf a person is not laughing anymore, then you are not joking; you are bullying

If you dont want it said or done to you, then dont do it

Foster Healthy Relationships

Enforce the Golden Rule

Mean Girls can become Nice Girls!