Are TV’s Mean Girls Making Us Meaner Girls?

September 29, 2008     Posted in Reality

mean_girls_640.jpgI will be the first to say that I think the movie Mean Girls is fantastic: great humor, perfect actor casting and, of course, I (like many) know girls like The Plastics. There was definitely a Regina George in my high school, and even a Blaire from Gossip Girl, and, sadly, there are still a few of them in my life today.


By Kelly

While there are the inevitable “mean girls” in your life, I can’t help but wonder: did these girls exist before shows like Gossip Girl, 90210 or the movie Mean Girls?

Maybe.

Do I think these caddy, petty, deceptive females existed before Hollywood decided to bank on this character flaw? Yes. Do I think they were as idolized, accepted and vicious? No.

I do believe Hollywood has aided in the level of meanness that some females like to inflict on others. Would a bunch of girls from a neighboring high school have vandalized a girl from my high school’s house before vixen Valerie from 90210 inflicted evil on Kelly and Donna? Makes you wonder, doesn’t it?

I feel, as with many aspects of the media, we’re affected by the actions of those we watch, idolize, despise and just plain want to be, on television and in the movies. We are influenced by the size-0 demographic in this country; don’t tell me you haven’t looked at a celebrity on television and wanted to look like her. So, what is any different from wanting to act like her?

I think we definitely have become meaner from the shows we see on television, just like we strive to be thinner and wear designer clothes like the actresses we see on television. While the latter is not a better alternative, we need to remember to be individuals. We must remind ourselves that TV and movies are not real and that actors and actresses do not face the realistic repercussions of writing a Burn Book, or keying someone’s car when they steal our boyfriend, i.e., losing your friends.

Have you become a Mean Girl? Have you been affected by a Mean Girl?

11 Comments on "Are TV’s Mean Girls Making Us Meaner Girls?"

  1. LucyInTheSky says:
    Mon, 29th Sep 20086:21 am 

    Have you ever seen the movie Heathers? Mean girls are not exclusive to this decade.

  2. The Public Speaker says:
    Mon, 29th Sep 20086:35 am 

    Great point Luckyinthecky! Me personally have never been affected by the mean girl, nor would I ever be the mean girl.

  3. Kelly M. says:
    Mon, 29th Sep 20086:53 am 

    yeah, I've seen Heathers…i'm not just claiming the mean girl phenomenon to this decade…hence my 90210 mention…there are tons!

  4. Katie says:
    Mon, 29th Sep 20088:35 am 

    I completely think girls are affected by this

    I live in ireland and the girls here strive to be the americans they see on TV eg.Regina George and all those mean ''popular'' girls. Its so annoying and they all end up looking like clones with orange faces and hiked up skirts.

  5. A.L. Hart - Universi says:
    Mon, 29th Sep 20082:32 pm 

    err Grease had mean girls too.

    I think ALL girls are inherently bitchy..even men..it's in our nature to feel threatened and when we feel threatened we attack. I can be a bitch sometimes and there are times when I am unaware of it even happening. It is terrible but it's part of human nature.

  6. sleepy says:
    Mon, 29th Sep 20088:31 pm 

    i think that the tv shows and movies are reflections of what's already happening in society. and the girls that use those shows/movies as inspiration…were headed on that track anyway.

  7. holly says:
    Tue, 30th Sep 20089:45 pm 

    yahh, bitches will always plague the school hallways and even later in life, while I don't think bitches on t.v influence us to be bitchy, it certainly doesn't make it seem like such a big deal! Sometimes i'll be talking to someone and something really nasty and snarky and kinda passive-aggrasive will escape my lips! ughhhh, and i'ldd be like AHHHHH! how did i manage to say that! gossip girl much? =)

  8. Some Guy says:
    Wed, 1st Oct 20081:30 am 

    Try proofreading instead of depending on the spell-checker. A "Caddy" is the person who carries your golf clubs. "Catty" is the adjective you were looking for.

  9. Some Guy says:
    Wed, 1st Oct 20081:32 am 

    "I think ALL girls are inherently bitchy"

    What a bleak view of human nature you have. I can tell you from direct personal experience that there are plenty of girls who are sweet, caring, and generous. Of course, bitches tend to cluster together so it's entirely possible that all of the girls YOU know are bitchy, and that includes the bitch in your mirror.

  10. Lauren says:
    Fri, 3rd Oct 200810:02 am 

    "Of course, bitches tend to cluster together so it’s entirely possible that all of the girls YOU know are bitchy, and that includes the bitch in your mirror."

    Well said sir, I applaude you. hahaha

  11. Nikki says:
    Tue, 26th Jan 20107:48 pm 

    I'm not gonna lie.. after watching gossip girl i always feel like scheming lol.. i love blair :)

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