'White Girl Gang' - would you mention this to school?

[Dancergirl]

My dd is in Year 9 at a girls' school. It's racially very mixed which is a good thing and I naively thought that the girls all mix together regardless of race.

However the friendship groups seem to be quite segregated. There is a large group of girls (probably the 'cool' group) which are mostly white girls and dd has told me recently they are known as the White Girl Gang. I feel uncomfortable about this but not sure whether to mention it to the school. And I don't want to make things awkward for dd (she's not in this group but is friends with a few of the girls who are).

[blackcatlover]

I assume they are not an anti-social or criminal 'gang' and it is just a nickname? I would not say anything tbh. If there is an opportunity perhaps say you notice that friendship groups are segregated along racial lines and why is that?

[GahBuggerit]

Year 9 is that 13?

Probably known as the "White Girl Gang" by others and not a name they have given themselves, given there are other races in there as you say.

I wouldnt mention it, doesnt sound like anything worth speaking to the school over tbh.

[ChickenBhuna]

I would say something , school staff would be obliged to report such things so it's certainly relevant. The school will appreciate your input.

[Godotsarrived]

I would mention it, wouldn't go in to heavy but would certainly raise a question.

[ChickenBhuna]

This kind of thing is flagged in training to spot extremism. The kids that labelled them the "white girl gang" could be at risk as well as the group of children in question. It's a minefield! I'd report it and get it off of my mind.

[GahBuggerit]

Must admit I didnt think of that Chicken.

[myoriginal3]

I'd report it.

[PigletWasPoohsFriend]

I'd report it too tbh.

[ChanandlerBongsNeighbour]

I'd report.

[HeadShouldersYonisAndToes]

I would mention it.

[TeenAndTween]

I'd report it in a 'I think you should be aware' kind of way rather than 'this is an issue' and let them work out what to do next.

[silkpyjamasallday]

Definitely mention it to the school, whether the girls refer to themselves as the 'white girl gang' or they have been called that by others it's an issue that needs to be addressed.

[TheSecondOfHerName]

I have also seen this sort of self-segregation in DD's class, which is maybe 20% white. DD and one other white girl are in friendship groups which are diverse, but the other white girls in the class seem to stick together in a group.

Interestingly, the parents met up at a social event before the girls started at the school, and a similar behaviour was demonstrated by the mothers of those particular girls.

I have never heard anyone put a label on it, but if someone were referring to that group of friends, I can see why they would describe them as "the white girls" because that's the identifying feature of that group. It's similar to how a group might be described as the sporty ones, or the emo lot.

[MVLipwig]

I know of two schools who have a group of friends known as some variation of the white girls. It's a joke.
A play on the costa coffe topshop stereotype of white girl culture... one group are those sort of people Andrew make light of it, the other are fairly alternative and use it ironically. (Both groups contain boys btw)
Just calm down, it isn't inciting racial hatred or going to get them attacked.

[Paninotogo]

Is it more likely to be the White girls/Basic girls stereotype?

[Witchend]

If it's how others are referring to them, and they're not entirely "white Caucasian" ie there is a racial mix, then I don't think it's an issue.
Also it may be how your dd's group refers to them, rather than a general thing.
Our group used to refer to one group as "the perms" as they all have 80s style perms and I think they called us "Speccies" as we all wore glasses. It wasn't a general name, just how we referred to the other group as it was easier to have a collective name than say "you know, the group Sharon and Emma are in, yes, Angela's in it as well..."

[Out2pasture]

Certainly do mention it to the school, but what do you think will happen? The school really can't break up friendships, nor force them to include a child of colour. Tell the entire school not to call them the wgg?

[NotYoda]

You need to mention it. I would

I have heard of similar (boys). It turned out the this was how others referred to them, not how they referred to themselves

[EmpressoftheMundane]

I wouldn't mention it. I can't see how it would help anything. What would mentioning this to the school achieve?

1. The school could decide that the kids labelling them the white girl gang are being racists. A little harsh imho
   
2. The school could determine who is allowed to be friends with whom based on racial quotas. Sounds a little Orwellian.
   
3. Why do you assume that these girls are the cool girls. Who defines who is cool?

[OhTheRoses]

Ah the inclusive, diverse, inner city dynamic the concept and theory so loved by the liberal metropolitan aspiring elite.

The reality is different from the theory - schools divide. Always have always will. The staff will probably have a laugh about parental naivety.

[NWgirls]

OhTheStinkingCynicism:

OP: At a London comp near me the school cracked down like a ton of bricks on a variety of this with the charming addition of the word "rich"... Perhaps worth trying to find out if the group is using the name about themselves or not - if they are, I would definitely report it and expect it to be taken seriously.