This commentary is not intended to be sexist in any way, but I guess some things are unavoidable. Political Correctness has never been my strong suit. There is a definitive difference in the way girls handle problems with other girls as opposed to the way boys handle problems with other boys. Take these two scenarios for instance.
Scenario 1) Boy A sees Boy B talking to his girlfriend. Boy A finds out (usually through the rumor mill) that Boy B is making a move on his girlfriend. Teens love drama, so even if the 411 isn't quite accurate who really cares. Boy A vents to his friends who only serve to fuel his fire. (Remember, drama = excitement) Boy A gets so worked up that he eventually approaches Boy B. With chest puffed out and hands clenched in fists he accuses Boy B of messing with his girlfriend. Boy B says he was just comparing notes for an upcoming test. Boy A calls him a liar and coward for not admitting to it. Boy B doesn't like being called a liar and a coward, especially with his friends and classmates looking on. Boy B sticks his finger in Boy A's chest and warns him not to let his mouth get the rest of his body in trouble. Boy A, not wanting to back down because his friends are watching, says he'll meet Boy B at some location (park, school yard, woods, vacant lot, etc) after school to settle it mano a mano. Boy A and Boy B meet after school and the matter is settled. The winner, if there is a perceived winner, will enjoy the shallow benefits of knowing he "kicked ass". The loser will have to put up with the shame of knowing he got his "ass kicked".
Scenario 1 happens everyday across the country. Usually a female is the catylist, but let us not focus on the reason. There are few reasons one can justify balling your hand into a fist and striking someone in the face with it. In my day the only thing that justified a good thrashing was when someone insulted your mother. I guess there are some lines you just don't cross. I don't condone fighting and think it should always be a last resort, but we are often told to keep it simple. Sometimes two boys in a fight is as simple as it gets. It sure as hell beats what most girls are up to these days.
Scenario 2) Girl A sees her boyfriend talking to Girl B. The rumor mill starts to churn again (gotta love that rumor mill) and truth and fiction blend into one ambiguous mess. Girl A consults with her friends and the rumor mill only to confirm her worst nightmare. Girl B (the slut from hell) is trying to steal her boyfriend. This is where Scenario 1 and Scenario 2 take different paths. Scenario 2's is much longer and filled with twists and turns. In some cases Girl A will approach Girl B and confront her with the evidence. What little there is most times. Even if Girl B denies the allegations this will make no difference in most cases. The rumor mill has spoken, and unfortunately the rumor mill might as well be the gospel in high school. Girl A has already assumed that Girl B is going to deny it because she is a lying slut from hell. The denial just confirms what she assumes is true.
Now is when the fun really starts. Some girls even skip the confrontation and jump right to this part. The phone calls, texts, I-M's, and emails alert everyone within a hundred mile radius that Girl B is a slut, whore, bitch, bimbo, back-stabber, floozy, tramp, skank, hussy, tramp. Excuse me if I left anything out. After this the social networking sights such as Facebook are filled with the same talk. This manifests into creative story telling that happens 24/7. Girl B suddenly has STDs, and has already had an abortion, and had sex with the whole football team in one night, and has performed oral sex on half the male faculty, and has incestuous relations with her father, and has done all these thing because she is really a repressed lesbian. Obviously this all gets back to Girl B and she freaks out. She responds to the comments and the war is on. These online battles can last for several weeks and sometimes even months. The nastiness of what is communicated back and forth borders on criminal behavior. (sometimes it is criminal if threats of bodily harm are sent)
The problem with this behavior is that it feeds off itself. Multiple girls become involved because they feel they are coming to the aid of a friend. Friends often feel the need to prove their allegiance and often go overboard in such cases. These battles spill over into school. Lockers are often targeted. This is a favorite activity that lacks originality. The word "Slut" is written in magic marker across the entire locker. Then come the comments as people pass in the hallways. If there are several girls from Girl A's camp passing Girl B in the hallway, subtle intimidation tactics usually take place. A shoulder bump or an attempted trip may occur. They may also surround Girl B to make her feel uncomfortable. Damage to property while the other person is not around also occurs. I've seen pocketbook straps cut, cell phones thrown in toilets, school uniforms or sports uniforms ripped up, and the lowest of the low, keying the person's car.
Girls have become notorious for these drawn out, vicious, propaganda campaigns. The energy it takes to keep it going is staggering, because the barrage of online chatter and badgering is constant. It's a female version of the Blitzkrieg. I don't get it. This isn't metaphysics. Why can't girls get to the root of the problem and move on. How many times in a week can you call another girl a slut? Does the 100th time feel better than the first? Wouldn't your time and energy be better focused on trying to find out the truth by establishing the facts, than by superimposing Girl B's head on the body of a pig and posting it on your Facebook profile? Is it all about the drama girls?
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