Girls Just Want to Be Mean

The New York Times Magazine ^ | 02/24/2002 | MARGARET TALBOT

[HairOfTheDog]

Well - The article proves two things... 1 - Girls are in fact very mean to each other, and 2 - Women can continue talking until they talk any subject absolutely to DEATH... I hope I didn't miss the point when I got bored after three paragraphs! That woman needs an editor!

Miss HairOfTheDog.

[goodnesswins]

''She was,'' her mother agrees. ''She was blond, extremely happy, endlessly curious and always the leader of the pack."

This is sick....her mommy says FIRST that she was "blond"....now isn't that a statement....about what's wrong with girls....

[xkaydet65]

She's writing for the NY Times Magazine. Their editors never let ten sentences suffice when 6200 can be written.

[goodnesswins]

''She was,'' her mother agrees. ''She was blond, extremely happy, endlessly curious and always the leader of the pack."

This is sick....her mommy says FIRST that she was "blond"....now isn't that a statement....about what's wrong with girls....

[Tennessee_Bob]

But perhaps the simplest way to describe its goals would be to say that it tries to make middle-school girls be nice to one another.

Was it Mark Twain that said something about not trying to teach pigs to sing???

[Cold Heat]

''The tears are a funny thing. Because it's not usually the victims who cry; it's the aggressors, the girls who have something to apologize for. And sometimes, yes, it's relief on their part, but it's also somewhat manipulative,

We used to call these crocodile tears. They are easy to spot.

Why isn't this woman teaching teachers. I believe that would be more effective.

[HairOfTheDog]

My word. I understand now why men loathe "the talk" about something. They are terrified they may get something like this!

[otterpond]

That woman needs an editor!

Thank you!

The entire Constitution, with amendments, is shorter than this. The LOTR Trilogy is barely longer....

[CapandBall]

I'm glad I'm a guy...

[WhyisaTexasgirlinPA]

Ditto...... (was that short enough? lol)

[HairOfTheDog]

Yes! - Very succinct! Bravo!

[Brett66]

Women can continue talking until they talk any subject absolutely to DEATH

Sounds just like my ex.

[Ditter]

Oh my dear, she does go on & on & on & on. Enough already. Most girls are mean, we deal with it!

[HairOfTheDog]

I know... I am sorry.

[diefree]

I'll second that. There's barely anything worth reading in the NYT magazine. I buy it for the crossword puzzle.

[VietVet]

No, I think this Wiseman woman needs to grow up. Read the descriptions of her, and the quotes from her. She is still thinking, acting, speaking, even to a certain extent dressing like these middle and high-school girls herself. I mean, my Lord! A 30 year old woman who lets her 17-year-old sister pick out her clothes?

The most intelligent thing the author of this article says in it, is that by paying attention to such spoiled behavior in this way, teachers and parents are actually reinforcing it. These aren't "Alpha-girls." They are spoiled brats. A little parential (and school) discipline, and a little less indulgence, would work wonders.

As for the non-A list others in the schools, I would be surprized if most of them even noticed these little soi-disant Queen Bee's, save to hold them in mild contempt. They are too busy with their own cliques and circles, and the best of them, the ones who will end up being the happiest and most successful, are learning to stand on their own two feet, without reference to who's in or who's out.

[Cold Heat]

I agree with your comments but this type of behavior is pervasive in our culture. It is in soap opras and prisons. It is in prime time and cartoons. It is taught by adults.

[WhyisaTexasgirlinPA]

Thanks...

[WIladyconservative]

It's amazing any of us over 20 ever made it to adulthood WITHOUT this in depth analysis of our gender . . . . unadulterated drivel!