An article about relational aggression starting very early in some girls.

The part of the article that really jumped out at me was this:

Other research at BYU has shown that physically and relationally aggressive children are more likely to have parents who discipline with psychological control and manipulation, withdrawing love, avoiding eye contact and laying guilt trips on the kids.

I wonder, are these parents more likely to use physical punishment on boys and more psychological punishment on girls? Or do children reactive to this kind of psychological control act out through their respective gender ways?

The bottom line is, “mean girls” isn’t a solo act.

Not taking any personal responsibility away from individuals who act in such hurtful and manipulative ways, especially as they move out of the tot stag, but perhaps, there should be more limelight on parental behavior and other social factors, and less wondering or asserting that “this is just the way girls are.”


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