Physical bullying by girls on rise in schools [Independent.ie]
- Published: 24 December 2010
PHYSICAL bullying by female pupils is on the rise, a major new study reveals.
One in five girls in primary schools and one in seven in secondary schools have been physically hurt, usually by other girls, it says.
Anti-bullying expert Dr Mona O'Moore from TCD says that "the increase in physical aggression among girls is evident in many cultures, especially in Ireland".
The level of physical bullying by boys has remained the same -- one in three boys is physically hurt in school -- but it has increased among girls. She says that girls become more physically aggressive with age.
One reason for the increase is the media's portrayal of women as pushy and ambitious, at times even resorting to physical aggression to achieve their aims. Another is the decline in "gender differentiation" between boys and girls.
Direct physical aggression by girls and boys includes all forms of physical attack such as pushing, poking, hair-pulling, hitting, spitting, biting, scratching, head-butting and tripping someone up.
Dr O'Moore quotes one girl who said: "When I was alone outside the library two girls pulled my hair and hit me in the face." Another said: "One girl calls me names about my teeth. If I say something back to her she kicks and hits me across the head".
Full Story: www.independent.ie
