"Odd Girl Out"

Paper Summary:

The paper examines how, in the book "Odd Girl Out" by Rachel Simmons, applying gender stereotyping to the image of a schoolyard bully conceals the fact that girls are equally capable of injuring their fellow classmates. The paper discusses how, while boys are more likely to use physical methods of dominance against weaker boys, their female counterparts are more apt to make use of more subtle, social methods of bullying, like forming cliques. The paper concludes that if women do not find more effective ways to express their aggression, and to deal with their need to express anger and dominance, then female opportunities of mentorship in business, as well as friendship will be thwarted.

From the Paper:

"Sadly, for girls who are bullied, the psychological consequences are often far more extensive than simply not going to one's high school prom, or having nasty notes passed around during geometry class. Their idea of positive female friendship may be forever tarnished, and the girls may inhibit their social and academic aspirations, for fear of becoming spectacles in high school and beyond, and hence the targeting of more bullying. Female friendship is not a positive source of energy and comradeship for a bullied girl, instead it becomes a social weapon, or a reward that can be extended or withdrawn, depending on the girl's obedience to a particular social code or deference to a kind of 'alpha female.'"

Sample of Sources Used:

• Simmons. Rachel. (2002) Odd Girl Out. New York: Harcourt.

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