Mean Girls

When did “Mean Girls” become the behavior handbook?

In 2004, Lindsay Lohan starred in the movie “Mean Girls.”  As the new student, she quickly learns the harsh realities of cliques and bullies.  Made as a comedy, but today, 18 years later, it is played out live, daily, in schools.

Young girls watch “Mean Girls” and reality TV, and believe that this is acceptable behavior.  It’s ok to make fun of someone because of ____ fill in the blank.  Many make fun because it makes them feel better about themselves.  Some, because it’s all they know, it’s what they see at home.

A student did something in class that was embarrassing.  The other girls laughed.  I asked them when it became acceptable to laugh at others who are hurt or had done something wrong.  One girl said it was just their generation I wouldn’t understand.  I have to disagree.  It’s not just her generation, it’s multiple generations.  We see it played out on TV from the ’30s on “The Little Rascals”; to the ’50s on “Leave it to Beaver”; and in the 60’s on “The Andy Griffith Show”.  

Bullies have always been here.  Throughout the Bible we see bullies.  Daniel had bullies who were jealous of his position.  Haman bullied Mordecai because he would not bow down to him.  Jesus and His disciples h by bullies who mocked them and their teaching.  And many of their bullies were the religious leaders of the day. 

Bullies come in all shapes and sizes.  All races and genders.  Names we all know.  Castro, Napoleon, Hitler, Al Capone, Jesse James.   Why do I call these bullies?  Let’s take a look at their actions.  The definition of a dictator is a ruler whit total power over a country, typically one who obtained control by force.  That sure sounds like a bully to me.  I’m going to be your leader, whether you like it or not.  They use intimidation, violence, and abuse to get what they want.  They often take from the rich to keep for themselves.  Not the greatest of leadership qualities.  

Gangsters and wild west outlaws also used violence and force to get their way.  Today’s society glamorizes these characters through movies, TV, video games, and now social media.  Recently schools had to ban Tic Tok and let the students know that the monthly school challenges were against school rules and some laws.  The challenges were to vandalize schools and even assault teachers.  These aren’t just actions that would get you suspended, but arrested and possibly tried as an adult.

Bullies are not always who you would think, either.  And neither are the targets.   Students today say things to adults that would have been unheard of in the past.  Students ask teachers their ages.  Tell them they’re too old to be teaching, and these teachers are in their 40s and 50s.  Students laugh out loud and make fun of teachers’ for their clothes, hairstyles, and weight.  Teachers are adults.  Most don’t think twice about what the students say.  But a person with low self-esteem, bombarded with this constant criticism, can compound itself to dangerous levels.  I have seen first-year elementary school teachers have nervous breakdowns.  Teenagers are much worse.  Students even lie about teachers’ actions to get the teachers fired.

Still writing… Come back later for segment 2.