The middle school years of adolescence are often viewed with skepticism, and even fear, by parents—and for good reason. It’s the time kids wield the weapon of emotional violence, and it can be very hurtful indeed, to both the aggressor and the victim.
The fundamental differences between boys and girls are never clearer than during the middle school years. Boys, under the persistent influence of raging hormones, tend to use physical intimidation to establish their relational boundaries. They’d rather use their fists to settle a dispute than anything else.
Girls, on the other hand, are more expert at the use of gossip and betrayal to lash out at someone they don’t like. Girls will often argue with each other for the attention of a particularly popular boy, and they are not afraid to spread nasty rumors about the competition. Girls are also more vulnerable with each other, sharing secrets that, unfortunately, can be used against them if the relationship with their confidant turns sour.
The two types of girls, experts say, that are most likely to use emotional violence are either the social outcasts who can’t relate with their classmates, or the clique leaders who are popular because they are controlling, not because they are well-liked.
Relationship over rules
Parents play a key role in preventing their daughter from becoming passive targets for emotional violence. In their girl’s younger years, parents are primarily the rule makers, setting standards for behavior, etiquette and dress, and teaching their daughter right from wrong. By the time their girl hits adolescence, however, the dynamic shifts away from the establishment of rules toward the nurturing of their relationship with their daughter.
Parents now:
- Begin focusing on guiding their daughter without overreacting, or even necessarily telling her what to do. They want to influence her decisions, not dictate them.
- Start listening closely to what their daughter is saying, and then give her advice as to how to best deal with the emotional violence she is experiencing. They can teach her the best way to express her feelings to another girl who is saying hurtful things.
- Fathers, especially, can build into his adolescent girl a sense of internal beauty that will help her see herself as valuable and worthwhile. In a sexualized culture that overemphasizes outward appearance, a dad can be effective in teaching his daughter how lovely she is on the inside.
