Female Bullies

I think gender differences are very real. Nature/Nurture, I don't know. One area of difference in many men and many women is the way in which they bully. I have read that the way females do in another female is not to tell her they are mad but to get others to dislike her through manipulation. Hmmmm. Fascinating and perverse.

The following excerpt is from an article written by Denise Gray, Manager, Equal Opportunity, James Cook University:

"It may be true that women are less inclined to indulge in vocalised rages - public swearing and shouting - and in physical violence, though I am sure that all of us could think of exceptions. Research indicates, however, that women are inclined towards

• The cold shoulder
• Refusing to communicate with the perceived offender
• Sulking
• Passive aggressive behaviour - which respects neither the perpetrator nor the recipient.

Such behaviour is evidence of women's socialisation: often we do not know how to elicit positive attention, or to assert ourselves so that our views and rights are recognised and respected. So we use inappropriate and ineffectual means to attract attention any way we can. We have been conditioned very early that girls do not shout and scream. No one is surprised, however, if girls go quiet or even sulk.

The problem, however, is that unless people communicate, they will not resolve their differences.

What comes as a shock to many people is just how personally and educationally damaging social and professional isolation and exclusion from networks can be."

The entire article and other articles by Ms. Gray related to this topic can be found at the James Cook University web site.