I read a blog post the other day about how we train boys and girls to interact with each other.
The author talked about how, once—when she was little—a boy at school stole part of her lunch.
… and when she told the teacher …
And a few years later, when a boy kept sneaking up behind her and pushing her over …
… the teacher said …
She made the point that we condition girls from a very young age to view abuse as something that can't be helped and may even symbolise affection. Basically, we're laying the foundations for this:
I can't help but think about how this contrasts with the way I was brought up:
2 comments :
Spot on Alex. This is exactly what girls are taught - either explicitly or via some osmotic transfer, you know, the way most socialisation happens. It's hard though because often the kids who get picked on are the last ones to want to hit another kid. So they develop their other weapons; a quick wit, sharp and sarcastic tongue etc.
I'd say that's probably all true. It's a shame though that quick wit is such a lousy defense against someone pushing you over and stealing your stuff.
Social osmosis can be a real bugger. I'm constantly frustrated by the dodgy behaviour and attitudes the kids in my family seem to pick up like bad habits. Dunno what you can do about it though.
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