Bullying
What is bullying?
Facts about bullying
- 19% made fun of (called names or insulted)
- 16% subject of rumors
- 9% pushed, shoved, tripped, spit on
- 6% threatened with harm
- 6% cyberbullied
- 5% excluded from activities
- 4% forced to do things they didn't want to do
- 3% destroyed property
Why do children bully?
- The powerless victim
- The struggle for status, power, and friendship
- The disturbed bully
- Having fun and avoiding boredom
- Peer pressure
Impact of your children being bullied
Studies indicate children who are being bullied experience physical symptoms, psychosomatic symptoms, and psychosocial difficulties such as:
- Headache (1.3 to 3.4 times more likely than non-victimized children)
- Stomachache (1.3 to 3.3 times more likely)
- Difficulty sleeping (1.3 to 5.2 times more likely)
- Wetting bed (1.2 to 2.4 times more likely)
- Depression (1.6 to 6.8 times more likely)
- Suicidal
- Loneliness
- Disliking/avoiding school (one-fifth to one-quarter)
- Lower grades
- Violent cases of revenge
Impact of your children engaged in bullying
- Exhibit criminal behaviors
- Dislike school
- Suicidal
- Drink alcohol and smoke
How to handle it
Parents of children being bullied
Look out for the signs of your children being bullied:
- Ripped clothing
- Hesitation about going to school
- Decreased appetite
- Nightmares
- Crying
- General depression and anxiety
Do not tell your children to solve the problems themselves!
Teach your children how to handle being bullied
- Practice scenario and come up with strategies with your child how to ignore/avoid/coping with bullies
Parents of children engaged in bullying
"Practice what you preach". Make sure you show positive examples for your children in your relationships with other people and with them because they learn behavior through their parents.
Pay attention to your children' issue(s). For example, children with low self-esteem tend to bully to feel better about themselves. Not only children with low self-esteem but children who seem popular and well-liked can have mean tendencies. Mean behavior should be addressed by parents and disciplined.
Anti-Bullying
Did you know....
Having trouble?
Website: http://www.stopbullying.gov
Phone: 1-800-273-8255
Work Cited
- Aalsma, Matthew C., and Brown, James R. What Is Bullying? Journal of Adolescent Health, Volume 43, Issue 2, August 2008: 101-102.
- Blais, Julie, Craig, Wendy, and Pepler, Debra. Responding to Bullying: What Works? School Psychology International October 2007 28: 465-477.
- Stopbullying.gov (picture credits)