While in a classic sense many of us think of bullying as a boy issue, it is very prevalent among young girls. Join Hillary and Amy as they discuss research and their own experiences pertaining to the forms of girl bullying, warning signs you can watch for in your daughter, and how you can help (and what NOT to say).
References:
“The Changing Face of the Class Bully“, The Cleveland Clinic, December 5, 2006.
“How to Bully-Proof Young Girls” by Andrea Sachs, TIME Magazine, August 25, 2010.
“What To Do About the Mean Girls” by Shannon Hutton, RadicalParenting.com.
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Couldnt get this one to play guys.
By: kassie kelly on December 7, 2010
at 8:04 pm
I find this topic a heartbreaking reflection on the emotional health of todays families. I think a lot of it is about childrens lack of love and security from home. I have been present and heard my oldest daughter (8yrs) be put down by other girls and we are navigating through this world of mean girls. I DRILL in her not to ever let people put her down because she is an amazing daughter of God! It seems once they do, and get that feeling of superiority it snowballs. I loved a lot of your points…being in tune with your child, a social support system of kind friends (which is hard to find), and just giving them the life skills to avoid and not become involved with such desrtuctive behavior. I am happy that my girls have not seemed ot have been affected too much by this because they like themselves and I think they understand that the kids that have problems being mean…have those problems for sad reasons.
I have to say also that I am so happy my kids are in uniforms for school. Its just nice not to have to deal with the cool clothes thing. I origionally didnt like uniforms and wanted to dress them super cute for school! However, I remeber feeling the pressure as a kid. ($80 guess jeans in 5th grade! A must have!) Ridiculous social pressure! I dont think I could do it as a mom. I just dont want my kids to buy into the crap that we have to have that look that thier selling! If you dont look right/beautiful/expensive clothes/ you are not valuable! Im just not going down that road…growing up in SoCal I know all too well. It breeds insecure, materialistic and superficial girls, that feel beauty is paramount. I battle these insecuriteis myself and continually reevaluate the messages I am sending my daughters. I let them wear what they feel comfortable in and they couldnt be more different!
Thanks fot the food for thought! I always look forward to your podcasts!
By: kassie kelly on December 13, 2010
at 5:47 pm