MSNBC takes a look at James Garbarino's new book, "See Jane Hit." From what I've read so far, I'm absolutely fascinated at the issue Garbarino is raising. Because girls today are growing up more empowered, and encouraged to stand up for themselves, and told they can do anything boys can do; are these factors creating aggresion rather than assertiveness?
Garbarino focuses on the increased participation of girls in more physical sports such as boxing, football, and karate. In the book, and also on MSNBC's site, it quotes a stat from the U.S. Department of Justice, "From 1990 to 1999 the rate of aggravated assault among girls under age 18 went up 57%, while boys went down 5%." So is this just part of the natural progression that comes along with the "New Woman?"
It's an interesting argument, one I guess I hadn't really thought about until I saw Garbarino's new book. Now, by no means do I advocate violence, nor do I believe we should tolerate it, no matter which gender is at fault, but why is a little natural aggression for females such a bad thing? It's a great self-defense mechanism, and I think it's a good quality for young girls to have. It's a good tool for them to have to be able to gain a certain sense of competitiveness, especially coming up in the business world.
By the way, Garbarino is a psychology professor at Loyola University, a Ph.D., and an adviser to a number of groups including the FBI. He also authored the popular book, turned movie, "Lost Boys."
» Mean Girls, Round One from Workerette
In her recent Workerette post, Barbie or Boxing, Amy brought up some excellent points and statistics about the rising levels of physical aggression by girls in today's society. (Which reminds me, I need to add that Garbarino book to my... [Read More]
Tracked on: March 16, 2006 9:41 PM | Permalink to Trackback