IN THIS LESSON

This lesson will take a closer look at the murky world of pre-teen and teen social interaction and will focus on subtlety—the kind of bullying that is usually far more painful.

Here's a brief overview of what this lesson contains:

Understanding Insecurity: Insecurity leads some people to put others down just to feel good about themselves. This is a time for you to reflect on your very own insecurities and how they influence you in life.

Desire to Belong: This is where we show why some girls will go back to negative and cruel behaviours just so that they are accepted by a group. It shows the importance of being authentic versus fitting in.

Handling personal challenges: Many people have personal problems that exist inside and outside of school, and you may never be aware of them. We will learn to develop empathy for those who might be struggling in quiet.

Power Moves: Examining the needs some feel to socially dominate, we will look at the impact of power tactics on friendships and how we can build better and healthy relationships.

Awareness and Change: After identifying negative behaviours almost always act as some form of coping mechanism, it is then time to change.

This is your guide to translating “girl talk" with real-life examples: fashion, competitiveness, crushes, and even recognizing the behaviours of "love bombing," a pattern of manipulation. We continue to model the practice of empathy, kindness, and resiliency as we give you ways to keep on looking and finding those ways of belonging to one another and being lifted up as equals in our community.

You know when some girls criticize outfits or boast about their seemingly perfect lives? Well, that can actually be a somewhat subtle form of bullying. They might not even realize it, but it's not cool. Check out these reasons why girls sometimes throw shade:

  • Occasionally, when girls put others down, it's because they're not feeling great about themselves. So, they try to boost their self-esteem by making others feel less confident.

  • Girls might start criticizing things or boasting just to fit in with a specific group. It's like they believe that acting a certain way will make them more popular or accepted.

  • When someone is going through a tough time or feeling stressed, they might lash out by being mean. It's not an excuse, but it could be a reason.

  • Some girls act superior to feel powerful. It's like they want to be the queen bee and put others down to elevate themselves.

  • Sometimes, girls don't even realize they're being hurtful. They might think it's just joking around or being cool, but it can still be mean.

Remember, it's not okay, and if you ever feel like someone's throwing shade your way, it's entirely fine to speak up or talk to someone you trust about it. We're all in this together, and kindness is way cooler than shade.

Cracking the Girl Code: What Girls Say vs. What They Mean!

1 - What Girls Say for FASHION

"You look horrible in that dress... let me help you change."

What Girls Mean

"You look amazing and I feel a bit jealous, so let's switch outfits."

2 - What Girls Say for TEST RESULTS

"I got 99%, I am so amazing... what did you get?"

What Girls Mean

"I didn't do well. I got a low score and I feel disappointed."

Now, sometimes girls may actually do well on a test and be honest about it. Here are two tricks to find out:

a) Ask them to show you their results. If they're lying, they won't show it, but if they're telling the truth, they'll share.

b) If they're making fun of your score, they're likely insecure about their own. Remember, happy people don't bully or make others feel bad. Happy girls don't need to compare test scores.

3 - What Girls Say for THEIR VACATIONS

"I'm traveling to the Bahamas and all around the world!"

What Girls Mean

"I'm probably just staying home."

If it sounds too good to be true, it might not be. Nobody's life is as perfect as it appears on social media or in magazines. Everyone has their own version of a perfect life.

4 - What Girls Say for THEIR CRUSHES

"What? No, why would I have a crush on him..."

What Girls Mean

"I have the biggest crush ever!"

Sometimes girls try to hide their crushes, but deep down, they can't help but feel that fluttery feeling. Remember, communication can be tricky, but understanding the hidden meanings can help us navigate the magical world of girl talk!