Kimberly Nardone, M.S., LMHC, has worked with school systems and courts for 12 years, with a specialty in girls and violence. In the DVD, Ms. Nardone will explain what characterizes aggression among girls, the differences between male and female aggression, risk factors, and the short- and long-term impact of physical aggression. She will discuss preventive strategies, and point out what commonly used strategies often miss the mark. She will discuss specific steps that schools should take when aggression occurs, and what girls should do when they find themselves in a violent situation.
What Characterizes Aggression Among Girls?
Overt-Physical Aggression
Covert-Relational Aggression (RA)
Statistics on Incidents of Aggression
How Students are Effected by Aggression
Higher rates of anxiety and depression among victims and
bystanders; lower academic achievement.
Why do Girls Stay in Relationships Involving RA?
Fear of isolation and loneliness
Lack of information and skills
Myths v. Facts
Myth: Targets act out in certain ways that are responsible for being picked on.
Fact: Aggressors often pick target that they know others will most likely not rally around and support.
Differences in Male and Female Aggression
Girls typically fight within friendship circles; boys typically fight outside friendship circles
Girls more likely to carry knives; boys choose guns
Long Term Impact of Physical Aggression
Victims more likely to become depressed as adults
Aggressors 5x as likely to become adult criminals
Statistics Related to Girls and Violence
Female percentage of juvenile assaults (FBI's Uniform Crime Report)
In 2001, arrest for aggravated assaults among girls (Office of Juvenile Justice)
Issues to Consider in Violence Reporting
Relabeling
Upcriming
Why is physical aggression on the rise for girls?
Changes in the nature of reporting crimes
More gender equality
More violence in the media
Risk Factors Related to Aggression and Violence
History of victimization and sexual abuse
Parenting styles and discipline
Socio-economic background
Preventive Strategies
Prevention programs that work
Positive female role models
Changing dangerous cultural myths
Strategies That May Miss the Mark
Zero tolerance rules with inflexible consequences
Inconsistently enforced consequences
Behavioral Rubric
Steps to Take when Aggression Occurs
Investigative interviewing-talking to student, peers, teachers; assigning consequences
Reflective period for aggressor to help develop empathy, learn new skills, and alternative behaviors
Tips for dealing with aggressors, empowering bystanders