This week has been a big one for Ophelia activities, including a final celebration ceremony at one middle school program where 25 girls have gathered over the last ten weeks to explore relationship skills that help rather than hurt. These young women spoke about finding friendships they didn’t know were possible, learning alternatives to hurtful behavior, and coming to new understandings about what it means to be a true leader. It was both encouraging and heartwarming to hear them share their insights, and I wished there were opportunities for adult women to do the same.
As parents commented on the positive changes they had seen in their daughters as a result of being in Club Ophelia, I was struck once more by how much happier we are when we do what comes naturally. Girls–and women–don’t enjoy conflicts that destroy another person’s sense of self and enjoyment of life–although all too often we’re socialized to believe the opposite.
Over the course of a club or camp program, I see girls visibly relax as they have the opportunity to be in relationships that are safe and respectful. As adults, we also know that removing ourselves from tense environments were relationally aggressive behaviors run rampant is often a tremendous relief–and what can be better than an hour or two with a group of gal pals we cherish?
Awhile back, a ninth grader told me her philosophy is to “flip the script” and not join in the girl drama that runs rampant in her school. Sounds like a good motto for women of any age–if she can do it, so can we!
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