Q. For about four months there has been a noticeable divide between boys and girls at my school that came about through petty incidents and misunderstandings. This has left our (GCSE) year completely split between certain people and there is a sense of awkwardness. At the moment the future of the pupils’ happiness seems somewhat abysmal! I am affected by this split as I am one of the few who has not yet been affected by this divide. This leaves me in the middle of two groups of friends. I find this position demanding on my friendships with both girls and boys, especially as some of my closest friends are in conflict. Is there anything I can do to bring former friends together without being intrusive, or shall I just accept defeat and settle with one of the groups, i.e. the girls?
A.H., address withheld
A. At this time co-educated boys throughout the land feel unmanned by their chronological equals who have surged ahead both academically and in other sophistications. In later life the scales of justice will be rebalanced as the old girls ‘go off’ much sooner than the old boys. Since you are currently in favour with both sides, you can break the ice by reviving some of the popular party games of yesteryear. In Postman’s Knock, for example, one person is chosen by playing card to be the ‘postman’, and to go outside and knock on the door. Another person is chosen, by playing card, to answer it, and goes outside to pay for the ‘letter’ with a kiss, and so on. Kissing games are a tried and tested way of pouring oil on troubled waters and giving much-needed kissing practice to juveniles. Your friends can play them ‘ironically’ to save face, but they will certainly mend fences.
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