The Mean Girl Motive: Negotiating Power and Feminity

Moving beyond the superficial discussions of how girls and boys exhibit hostility differently, this insightful study explores the social context of “mean” behavior in young women. Examining the intersection between structures of class, race, and gender in the production of female aggression, this account draws on the firsthand knowledge and experiences of girls to provide a candid glimpse into their culture and question our knowledge about anger and violence in today’s youth.