ABSTRACT
The debate may well reveal that hierarchies are configured and operate differently amongst girls and boys. Teachers can suggest, as a short debating point, that girls’ hierarchies tend to be ranked in friendships groups rather than as a long list of individuals, although there may well also be rank order within each friendship group. Not all year groups are hierarchical, and if that appears to be the case then this lesson topic may be less relevant. The answers to all the questions in the chain will change with maturity. The way younger years form hierarchies is different, and what makes one boy more influential than another also changes over time. Otherwise, this lesson topic works equally well in Years 5 and 6 as it does in Year 7. These older years may be more cautious about discussing this topic because there is social risk involved in uncovering the inner workings of rank order and influence.
