When Girl Power Hurts: Relational Aggression
Female friendships can be among the most intense, meaningful, and satisfying relationships for girls and young women. As girls explore their power, confidence, and self-esteem, they often use those relationships to inflict harm. Historically, this behavior has been ignored or rationalized as ‘girls being girls.’ Today, we recognize it as relational aggression—otherwise known as mean girl behavior—and acknowledge its significant impact on girls’ confidence and achievement.

Empowering Girls to Create Change
In response to girls’ growing need for effective strategies to identify relationally aggressive behaviors, their causes, and how these behaviors can be curbed through personal empowerment, effective communication, and conflict resolution, Girls Inc. of NW Oregon would like to offer you the opportunity to empower your girls to create change through Allies in Action.

Created by Girls Inc. of NW Oregon, Used throughout the Country
The Allies in Action program, teaches girls how to positively navigate social situations and overcome relational aggression. Evaluation data shows that schools and organizations using Allies in Action realize:

• Stronger relationships between girls
• Reduced aggressive, hurtful, and violent behavior
• Improved achievement and attendance
• Boosts in girls confidence and self-esteem
• 80% increase in attendance
• 75% of frequent “girl fighters” are violence free

Relational aggression doesn’t have to be a rite of passage
Bring the Allies in Action program to your girls and help them create positive relationships now—and for life. Allies in Action Program includes:

• Forty facilitator curriculum binders include background, instructions, discussion questions, and bibliography.
• Two days of interactive training for up to 40 participants:
  • Day One explores the theoretical framework of relational aggression, including how to identify and describe it
  • Day Two covers Allies in Action implementation; participants facilitate a session out of the curriculum and role play through girls’ perspective
• Evening discussion for parents
• One-year site license, technical support, evaluation/assessment after one year, and continuing education credits available through Lewis & Clark College (additional $25)

To order or learn more about Allies in Action
Call 503-230-0054 for more information or to order the Allies in Action curriculum.