Characteristics of Female Bullies in Middle School
When children hit middle school they are at a delicate crossroads in their own development. This leaves them particularly susceptible to the acceptance or scorn of their peers. Girls who would bully their classmates understand this, and as such their methods of torment are more indirect and relational -- attacking their victims' vulnerable self-esteem and precarious placement in social circles. For these "tween" and teen girls, bullying becomes more insidious, and peaks in this middle school environment.
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Boys vs. Girls
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While boy bullies tend to be more direct, confrontational and even physically abusive, girl bullies approach their victims in more indirect ways. They start rumors, gossip and attack the reputation of the victim or victims, which affects the social standing of the victim in the cliquish environment that emerges in middle school. They also tend to isolate the objects of their scorn, and expect their social circle to do likewise. This aggressive behavior is so indirect a bully can actually avoid direct contact with her victim.
Conditioned at Home
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Bullies may come from homes where they feel powerless, and as such attempt to wrangle power over their social situations or those individuals they perceive as weaker than themselves. Many girls who behave this way lack the appropriate empathy to understand how hurtful their behavior can be and the consequences it can cause, and in fact often blame the victim for allowing herself to be victimized. These girls can also demonstrate a defiant attitude toward authority figures, such as teachers and principals.
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Bullying in Groups
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Indirect and relational bullying relies on the compliance of the bully's own social network to spread rumors, gossip and isolate the victim. This is especially true in middle school female cliques where individuals participate in group behavior to be socially accepted. Those friends who surround the bully and either participate directly in the bullying, laugh or otherwise re-enforce the behavior or simply saying nothing at all take equal responsibility for bullying the victim.
Cyber Bullying
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Thanks to cell phones and the Internet, these indirect bullying tactics can reach a wider group faster, and even anonymously. These tactics can take the shape of sharing embarrassing photos and videos, threats, rumors and even deceptive profiles that lead the victim to believe she is interacting with someone else entirely. They are meant to humiliate, embarrass and intimidate the victim.
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References
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