School is Back in Session and so are the Bullies

Break the Cycle of Bullying

Aug 16, 2009 Linda Mundorff

In the past, parents and school officials dismissed bullying behavior as part of growing up. Today, it is understood that bullying behaviors are far from normal.

According to the American Psychology Association (APA) ninety percent of children in grades 4 through 8 state that they are victims of bullying behavior.

Bullying behavior takes many forms ranging from verbal and emotional abuse, to intimidation and physical abuse.

Where does Bullying Occur

Historically, bullying occurred on the playground, the school cafeteria, and school functions. These areas were easily accessible for bullies as school personnel either ignored the behavior or failed to supervise the area.

The Internet, unfortunately, has provided an avenue for the bully to continue the harassment in the home. For example, social network sites have provided a medium for the spread of rumors and gossip.

Targets of Bullying

The National Youth Violence Prevention Resource Center (NYVRC) found that over 5.7 million children are involved in bullying behavior as either the bully or the victim of a bully.

Generally speaking, Female victims of bullying are abused verbally and emotionally:

By the way they look.
By the way they dress.
As targets of false rumors.
By encouraging others to reject and ignore them.
By being the center of school gossip.
As targets of sexual comments.

Conversely, male bullying tends to be more physical in nature:

hitting
pushing
slapping
throwing food and beverages
destroying personal property

Who Becomes a Bully?

According to the NYVRC, children who become bullies generally have anger-management issues and low-frustration thresholds.

Additionally, children often become bullies from homes where there is little to no emotional support, positive attention, and love.

A study conducted byDr. Terri Moffit of the Institute of Psychiatry at King’s College London, found that children who were victims of domestic violence were 50% more likely of becoming a bully.

She also concluded that children as young as five, who exhibited aggressive behavior were almost guaranteed to become bullies.

Victims

Children who are targeted by bullies tend to have low self-esteem, are shy, anxious, and introverted. These children are usually the ones who do not fit in, tend to keep to themselves and rarely fight back when picked on.

Long Term Effects of Bullying Behavior

the Victim

The APA has found that long-term effects of being bullied result in significant emotional upset as in depression, anxiety, and suicidal thoughts. Without intervention, these emotional issues have a greater tendency to carry over into adulthood.

the Bully

The negative implications associated with bullying have long-term consequences on the perpetrator. Children who are permitted to continue bullying behaviors have been found to turn to drugs and alcohol, vandalism, shoplifting, street fighting, and dropping out of school.

Change Programs

Zero Tolerance Stance

Communities and schools must take a zero tolerance stance when dealing with bullying behaviors. That being said, children must be put on notice that bullying behaviors will not be tolerated in or around school property. Local neighborhood watch programs and law enforcement agencies must monitor for and not tolerate abuse.

Bully Prevention Programs - School Staff

Bully prevention training programs must include all levels of school staff from bus drivers and teachers to janitorial and cafeteria staff.

Policies and procedures must be in place prior to initiating the change program. School staff must be made aware of administrative expectations and levels of enforcement. For example, what their role is in the areas of prevention, intervention, and discipline.

Strategies:

Effective strategies to deter bullying behavior have included:

Classroom discussions
Review of rules and consequences
Role playing
Essay writing
Parent-teacher meetings
Immediate Disciplinary Behavior
More adult supervision

Parental Involvement

Although much of the bullying behaviors occur away from home, parents can help by monitoring their children's behavior and activities.

Whether a child is a bully or a victim of bullying, parents must take control of disruptive behaviors. Children must also know that their parents will not tolerate bullying behavior, and that there will be significant consequences.

The best way to help children is to initiate daily dialogue. Show a child that it is safe to talk, that they will be given emotional support and love, and a child will open up. The parents must step-up to the plate, once their child confides in them. Listening and not doing anything will result in the child shutting down emotionally.

In conclusion, children should not be afraid to attend school or visit their local playground in fear of being verbally, emotionally, or physical abused by a bully. Parents and school personnel must work together to enforce anti-bullying policies and model their support for these policies in and around the school, grounds, and within the surrounding communities.

The copyright of the article School is Back in Session and so are the Bullies in Health Field is owned by Linda Mundorff. Permission to republish School is Back in Session and so are the Bullies in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.

Bullying Behavior

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