Langley’s top bullies don’t pack punches— they start rumors.

We may not see people getting stuffed into lockers or fights starting in the halls, but Langley does experience a different type of bullying: emotional.

“Compared to other high schools in the area, Langley has less physical aggression, but a fair share of relational bullying,” said Langley psychologist Mr. Jason McBeth. Relational bullying is non-physical aggression with the intent to emotionally harm another person. The difference between teasing and bullying is that teasing is mutual, while bullying involves one person having power over another person.

Students readily witness this “mean girl” bullying atLangley. “I see it happen a lot but no one acknowledges it or says anything about it,” said sophomore Emma DiGiammarino. “Mean girls just don’t like to be different.”

“If there’s one thing that adolescent girls are good at, it’s being awful to each other,” said McBeth. While rumors and gossip may not give bruises, they can sting just as much or even more than physical bullying.

Assistant Principal Jessica Statz agrees. “Psychological bullying is absolutely worse than physical bullying. This is what the kids who are doing the actual bullying don’t realize.”

We are used to being fit into stereotypes, and some of the gossip and malicious rumors that we see on TV and in the movies are not too far off-base from the reality here.

Sophomore Maddy Chapman has become used to the cruel behaviors of some mean girls at Langley. “They are definitely two-faced and exclusive, but I ignore them and I’m used to it.”

But this type of bullying isn’t only for girls.

Thomas Dungan, a junior, is one of Langley’s Peer Mediators, the creators and spokespeople for this year’s National Anti-Bullying Week. “The main source of bullying is sarcasm, neglect, and harsh verbal attacks,” said Dungan. “Anyone can be victim to teasing, but some jokes can be taken too far.”

“Boys come up to me with concerns as well. They are more defensive than girls. They want to come to us before the situation escalates and they get into a fight,” said Statz.

Assistant Principal Statz, Mr. McBeth and the rest of the faculty and community are always attempting to eliminate these problems. Students are heavily encouraged to step in and say something when they are in the ‘bystander’ position.

“Teachers do a pretty good job dealing with bullying, but they don’t see everything,” said McBeth.

“Sometimes you may yell at someone or curse them out as a joke but when you do that, you don’t know what that person has gone through that week,” said Dungan.

How do gossiping and cliques affect Langley?

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