Alpha, Beta, and Gamma: The Divisions of Girl World

The divisions of popularity in the world of girls are very clear. Rosalind Wiseman, author of Queen Bees and Wannabees and also Odd Girl Out, discusses two of these divisions. She labels the first group the "alpha" group; these are the girls that are considered "popular," who wear the trendy clothes, and are beautiful and wealthy. The second group she calls "beta," and these are the girls who are "outside the box" - they long to be invited to the parties, and try everything to fit in. Susannah Meadows, author of the June 3, 2002 cover story of Newsweek entitled, "Meet the Gamma Girls," breaks open a third group of girls. The "gamma" girl is "defined by what she does, rather than by her popularity rating." The individuals who are most affected by these divisions are the ones that keep these same divisions in place.
The alpha group will be most visible in adolescent society. …