In recent years, bullying by girls has been recognized for what it is - a psychologically damaging behavior every bit as dangerous to the victim as the more physical bullying seen by males.
Girls engage in bullying by rumor spreading, gossiping and isolation.
Administrators, students, parents and teachers need to be aware of this type of bullying so they can take action to prevent it.
Social groups and friendships are extremely important to girls.
The loss of these can be devastating to the victim.
The isolation makes them feel sad, lonely and inept.
It will cause them to fear seeking out friendships and to isolate themselves to avoid getting hurt.
Rumor-spreading has the same effect.
The victim feels humiliated and isolated.
Many times even blaming them self for the situation.
Girls who are victims will appear sullen.
They will have difficulty participating in team sports or other group activities.
They will struggle to find a seat at lunch or a partner in class for projects.
Unfortunately, parents and teachers sometimes mistake this sullen and sad behavior as just hormonally related.
Bullying can be overlooked as a cause.
Eventually, bullied girls can start to fall behind in their school work and quit extra circular activities that they once loved.
They start skipping school and face the chance of expulsion.
After a while long term psychological damage can be done and in extreme cases suicide is considered as an option.
The problem with detecting bullying by girls is that it is very covert.
Bullies are often seen as good kids who would never engage in this type of behavior.
Because of this, bullying can go undetected for many years until the damage is already done.
Everyone involved with kids needs to be aware of the symptoms and types of bullying engaged in by girls.
As a society we owe it to our children.