Extensive research, endless stories, and our personal stories have shown us the lasting impact on relational aggression in middle school girls. Regardless of how this aggression manifests in our schools, the harmful effects on adolescent girls are massive and damaging. Rather than systematically socializing these young women into believing that they are inherently different - more fragile, more emotional, "less than", we, as teachers, must work at the local level to show their commonalities in the same struggles and how to build community. with each other will not only save their lives, but help them become successful global citizens. Relational aggression presents itself in multiple ways and these can change daily thanks to our ever-changing technological world. While just 10 or 15 years ago another girl spreading a rumor about another girl at school could have been extremely damaging, today those same rumors could spread via social media such as Facebook or Twitter , and these same insults can reach hundreds, even hundreds. thousands of other students (and parents) every day. Relational aggression can be as complicated as that or as simple as gestures, teasing, cliques, betrayals, or name-calling. One of the most important aspects of relational aggression is that the act itself does not have to be aggressive in nature to be hurtful. Aggression is not the same as anger, which is why a simple gesture or insult can seem innocent from afar but be as damaging as being physically pushed to the ground. The effects of this aggression are destructive for both the victims and the bullies. Besag's 2006 study found that:…frequency of verbal exchanges…middle of article…recognizes and addresses relational aggression through systemic change in social culture” (www.opheliaproject.org). In response to the urgent need for intervention against negative behavior among young girls, the Ophelia Project has developed a long list of action plans, teaching guides, workshops, youth leadership programs and numerous additional resources to help promote girls' education. in the way they interact and react to each other. Works Cited Besag, V. (2006) Bullying Among Girls: Friends or Foes? School Psychology International, 27, 535-551. Casey-Cannon, S., Hayward, C. and Gowen, K. (2001) Middle school girls' reports of peer victimization: concerns, consequences and implications. ProfessionalSchool Counseling, 5 (2), 138-147Mckay, C. (2003) Relationship Aggression in Children. Camping Magazine, 76 (2), 24-28