ARE GIRLS BECOMING MORE VIOLENT?

There have always been some girls who have chosen to use violent and anti-social behaviour to express their anger or control others.

New Zealand Police statistics show that girls’ violent offending has increased as has that of young males however female violent offending remains proportional, averaging about 25% to that of young male offenders.

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HOW ARE GIRLS VIOLENT?

The nature of the girls’ violent and anti-social behaviour is changing. A broad definition of ‘violence’ that includes relational aggression, bullying, harassment and physical assault needs to be considered.

 

Gender socialization and societal expectations influence the way young females express their emotions. Some turn to relational aggression, the covert behaviour that can involve groups of girls attacking the reputation and relationships of others.

 

Cyber bullying, text messaging or internet bashing are fast becoming the tools of relational aggression, whereby a disparaging comment or photo can be circulated endlessly in the matter of a few seconds.

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WHY ARE GIRLS MORE VIOLENT?

It is important to remember that not all girls turn to violent and anti-social behaviour. However, the girls who do reflect a disconcerting trend found in our society that normalises violent behaviour and glorifies it for entertainment purposes.

 

Girls’ world is full of confusion, complexity and contradictory realities. Friendships with other girls are central to many girls’ adolescent years. Yet, many are in constant competition with other girls for peer popularity and male attention.

 

Many young women are growing up with the societal expectation that they can do anything and must do everything. According to females portrayed in the media, girls should be brave, independent, strong, smart, savvy, athletic, and able to kick ass as well as being beautiful and sexy, be wanting and waiting for a relationship with Mr Right, able to produce adorable children, keep a perfect house and be ready to climb the next step on her career ladder. Girls who can’t compete for this reality take out their anxieties about personal inferiority or anger of rejection on themselves. While girls who don’t want to compete for this reality get judged for their failure to live up to the standard and become victims to the taunts of their peers.

 

Then there are girls who have been victims of society’s dark side. Their pain runs deep as does their anger. Their tolerance for others may be minimal and their trust in others non-existent. For them, violent behaviour is familiar and a means to an end.

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This is only a brief introduction to girls’ violence and anti-social behaviour. If you want to learn more about this topic or to discuss Turning Point: A violence intervention programme for girls, please contact:

 

Dr Donna Swift a Social Anthropologist researching the violent and anti-social behaviour of girls and young women offenders. Dr Swift is also the strategic advisor for the Turning Point Violence Intervention Programme for young females. You are welcome to email Dr Swift at info@girlsviolence.co.nz, or mobile 027 222 1828

 

Or Senior Sergeant Ross Lienert of the Tasman Police District Youth Services Coordinator/ Family violence Coordinator at ross.lienert@police.govt.nz

 

Dr Swift and Sr Sergeant Lienert are available to deliver two informative presentations:

 

Sugar and Spice and not so Nice – Welcome to Girls’ World (designed as a public presentation)

 

Girls violence and the Turning Point Violence Intervention Programme (suitable for those working with girls)

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