Community

Written by Marcella Germanotta

For most of us, bullying is defined as overstepping boundaries, intentionally hurtful behavior and verbal abuse. But today, those acts are just part of a larger problem known as relational aggression. Young girls, teens and even adults can be victims.

Relational aggression can have a tremendous impact on one’s health and success in life, especially if it is allowed to continue without intervention and/or consequences. With that in mind, Girl Scouts have included programs for girls and training for adults that help them become aware of the problem and provide tips on how to be proactive instead of reactive.

As society confronts relational aggression and other forms of bullying among its youth, Girl Scouts’ innovative research and programs are shedding light on the causes of this destructive behavior. The Girl Scout Research Institute (GSRI) has done several studies on the issue. Their reports can be found on their website – www.girlscouts.org. The Net Effect: Girls and New Media, investigates how new technology is affecting girls and how bullying has transformed on the Internet. Girls say the Internet allows them to treat their peers more cruelly than they would in face-to-face interactions, because they don’t experience the immediate responses to their behavior. Cyberbullying is a growing crisis: 49 percent of children who are frequent Internet users report using the Internet to gossip about their friends. This behavior poses serious consequences. Targets of cyberbullying were found to be eight times more likely than other students to report bringing weapons to school. In one study, 60% of those characterized as bullies in grades 6-9 had at least one criminal conviction by age 24.

Another GSRI report, The New Normal ? What Girls Say About Healthy Living, tells us that girls have a view of safety and health that includes emotional and social well-being. Findings from the study suggest that efforts focusing solely on punishing bullying behavior may miss the mark with girls. Approaches that just crack down on individual bullies are seldom effective, yet when there is a school-wide or community commitment to end bullying, it can be reduced by up to 50%. 

Although 30 percent of kids are either targets or bullies, 100 percent of kids witness bullying at some point throughout their youth. Girl Scouts has learned that comprehensive approaches that include preventative and confidence building measures are the most effective in encouraging healthy relationships among girls and addressing relational aggression. For example, the Girl Scout self esteem program, Uniquely ME!, helps girls feel better about themselves through proudly acknowledging their own strengths and positively handling peer pressure. When girls feel better about themselves, they are less likely to participate in harmful activities such as bullying and more likely to take a stand against such behavior.

Uniquely ME! and similar programs are being used throughout the year in Girl Scouts, including at camp. On August 28, Girl Scouts will host a Cliquish, a sleepover for girls in grades 4th and 5th grade. A consultant will talk with the girls about behavior around friendships and conflicts, and they will watch a movie that highlights the issue. In October, there will be a Mean Girls program offered to teens. Based on the movie, Mean Girls, the program allows girls to hold discussions and explore feelings in a safe, group setting after watching a movie that includes the roles of Queen Bees, the Wannabees and the Gossips. Adults – both Girl Scout members and guests – are invited to attend Inspired by U, a series of adult development workshops hosted by Girl Scouts being held at Oscar Smith High School that includes workshops on this topic.

And if you think adults are beyond relational aggression, think again. Recent reports have focused attention on dramatic instances of workplace aggression, efforts by individuals to harm others with whom they work or the organizations in which they are employed. One study investigated two major hypotheses with respect to such aggression. Contrary to what media reports suggest, most aggression occurring in work settings is verbal, indirect, and passive rather than physical, direct, and active. Recent changes in many organizations have generated conditions that may contribute to the occurrence of workplace aggression. According to one survey, verbal and passive forms of aggression were rated as more frequent by participants than physical and active forms of aggression. In addition, the greater the extent to which several changes had occurred in organizations, the greater the incidence of workplace aggression reported. Perhaps we can’t tackle all the workplaces where relational aggression simmers, but we can have an impact on girls and give them tools to build self-esteem and confidence.

Girl Scouts believes that solutions should be developed and implemented on a community-based level. As advocates for girls, they have taken on the responsibility to make community leaders and public officials aware of the impact of relational aggression on girls. Girl Scouts would like to be considered a resource in the community when addressing issues related to the health and safety of girls. Establishing relational aggression and bullying policies with clear rules and preventative measures, such as awareness campaigns and self esteem programming, is a priority for the organization. This year, they supported a bill that was passed in the Virginia House and Senate, House Bill 1624, which clearly addressed the use of technology as a tool for relational aggression within schools by students.

Tips for Parents or Adults Working With Girls

Involve girls in a variety of activities so they  are exposed to different type of people

• Encourage relationships with adults and other children who appreciate them for who they are
• Be available to listen and don’t downplay the importance of an incident
• Talk about both sides of an issue. Girls may tell you about being the victim but not talk about being the aggressor
• If your daughter is caught in the middle, encourage her to take the “high road” and support the victim, or at least not take part in the aggression
• Become computer savvy
• Don’t allow your child to have a computer in their room or other isolated area. If they have laptops, set guidelines for where they can use it and the length of time they can use it.
• Be aware of the online activities of your child
• Research filtering and parental control programs for your computer

Girls may visit www.gsccc.org or www.girlscouts.org to learn tips on staying safe online.

If you are interested in learning more about helping girls, Girl Scouts as advocates or attend the August 15 adult Inspired by U workshop, call 547-4405 or visit the Girl Scout Council of Colonial Coast Web site at www.gsccc.org.

To learn more about anti-bullying programs for children, visit www.stopbullyingnow.hrsa.gov  and www.opheliaproject.org