Positive Group Dynamics: No Cliques Allowed

Positive Group Dynamics:  No Cliques Allowed

Social Injustice anti-bullying posts are created to educate and encourage.   It is very important to make everyone who is a part of the group feel valued and respected. I will admit that can be a challenging undertaking even for the most open- minded person.  I bet most of us can think of an individual who has difficulty getting along with others no matter what type of concessions he or she receives.    Forming positive group dynamics requires intentional, inclusive behaviors and positive actions.  There are many theories and terms related to how and why people interact the way they do.  Social identity is an important term to understand related to positive group dynamics.   

Think of the different type of groups that you might join or you have joined.  These groups include friends, co-workers, church groups, and community or civic groups and chances are you have a strong social identity with these various organization.   This membership provides you with a social connection to people and a positive identity.  Membership in various groups often creates close bonds and connections, work cooperatively to promote goals, ideas or beliefs, and yes, sometimes generate conflict. 

It is important to teach children and adolescents about group dynamics. There are times when adults need a reminder about how to display positive group dynamics and work collaboratively without excessive conflict or strife.   Group interactions can be simply described to children as “how the people in the group work and get along with each other”.    A Google search defined group dynamics as the processes involved when people in a group interact with each other, or the study of these.  I might add that group dynamics is the basic description of how people get along with each other in the group and their ability to work together to accomplish group tasks and goals.

There are leaders, followers, encouragers and detractors who emerge in almost any group activity.  Successful group interactions can lead to the formation of trusting bonds and close relationships.  In order to maintain positive group dynamics, it is important to use open, respectful communication among members.  Everyone’s opinion and ideas are valuable.  Each group member has the right to have a voice related to group decisions.  Inclusion is an important behavior to display when working in groups.  Without inclusive behavior, group dynamics can become stressful, contentious, and argumentative for both children and adults.

 Social exclusion and isolation are characteristics of cliques and bullying behavior.  The term, clique conjures negative meaning even if you are considered a part of the “in-crowd”.   Cliques exclude, insult, and sort out individual not deemed good enough to belong.  Cliques do not just happen in school and may actually be a result of school structures associated with success and achievement.  Adults can even fall victim to cliques and belong to them.   These are closing ideas that promote inclusion.

Kindness trumps Cliques; Compliments are more filling than Insults; and including everyone is a better option than excluding anyone.  These choices create a win-win feeling for all!

Girl Power: Find Your Strengths and Excel

 

Girl Power: Find Your Strengths and Excel

Physical appearance is often a source of anxiety and stress, for both females and males. People are so much more than their outward physical appearance.  This is a reminder to individuals of all ages to develop your personal strengths and inner beauty by forming positive relationships. Work diligently to achieve your dreams and goals.   Many young girls, tweens, and teens face relentless verbal harassment and bullying related to their appearance.   Increasingly and at a younger and younger age, girls begin to fret over their appearance, weight or other physical attributes.  Instead of worrying about appearances, I would challenge all youth struggling to find their calling to (carpe diem) or seize the day.  Perhaps a teacher, parent, or mentor will make a suggestion or give you the nod that helps you move forward toward success.

March is designated as Women’s History Month.  This observance provides a great opportunity to look at some of the outstanding accomplishments of successful females.  Since 2016 is a year of political debates and potential appointments, it is only fitting to recognize a very exclusive group of accomplished female leaders. Although a woman has not served as president of our country, there have been three extremely qualified females appointed to serve as Secretary of State. Madeleine Korbel Albright, Condoleezza Rice, and Hillary Rodham Clinton epitomize intelligent women of strength and determination who have been appointed as Secretary of State.  Coincidentally, Dr. Albright’s father was a teacher and important mentor to Dr. Rice.  These women understood their potential and worked hard to fulfill goals and dreams.   Even these gifted individuals faced challenges and struggles, as is inevitable in life.  They persevered to find their academic and professional talents, which ultimately allowed them to excel in a variety of situations.

It is also a good time to reflect on the challenges that girls and boys face from bullying, name-calling and physical or verbal harassment.   Surprisingly, popular celebrities have become outspoken advocates for individuals who face bullying.   Many celebrities have talked about their memory of unpleasant school experiences due to bullying.  Wildly funny and successful TV host Ellen DeGeneres admits that she was bullied as a child.  Ellen has also become a huge supporter of bullied victims and made online resources available to support them.  The list of stars who report being the victims of bullying is surprisingly lengthy and includes such celebrities as Justin Timberlake, Tyra Banks, Rihanna, Michael Phelps, and Miley Cyrus.

 There will be times when each of us feels like the odd man out. Many instances of female bullying involve social isolation or exclusion.   Everyone wants to be accepted and included in social groups.  Celebrate the power of girls with the inclusion and acceptance of different people and circumstances.   Chart your own course in history by discovering your special talents.  Find your strengths and excel!