Bullying
WHAT IS IT?
While teasing and kidding are a normal part of growing up, bullying involves a person or group who repeatedly try to harm someone who is perceived as weak or vulnerable. Bullying involves DIRECT ATTACKS, such as hitting, intimidating, malicious teasing, name-calling, sexual comments and stealing or indirect or SUBTLE ATTACKS, such as rumor spreading or encouraging others to tease or reject. More recently, a new form of bullying involves CYBER-BULLYING where pictures, rumors, sexual content and solicitations are used to injure the intended victim.
HOW COMMON IS IT?
30% of teens report they were involved in bullying, either as a target or as a bully.
From grades 6 to 10, 13% of students reported they bullied others; 11% were victims.
It is more common among younger teens; as children grow older, they are less likely to bully others or be the victim of bullying.
It occurs more frequently among boys.
Boys use more direct, aggressive means of bullying.
Girls use rumors and sexual comments.
88% of school age children have witnessed bullying.
WHAT ARE THE EFFECTS OF BULLYING?
Fear and anxiety
Reduced school performance
School avoidance
Reduced self-esteem
Social isolation
Thoughts of suicide
Weapons for protection or revenge
As adults, higher levels of depression and poor self-esteem.
WHO ARE THE BULLIES?
Tend to be self-confident with high self-esteem.
Physically aggressive
Hot-tempered, easily provoked
Pro-violence attitudes
Need to dominate others
Lack sympathy
Higher incidence of smoking, drinking and fighting
Less family support
Parents who do less monitoring of activities
Parents who are excessively permissive or excessively harsh
WHAT CAN YOU DO?
Tell your parents or an adult you can trust (teacher, coach, principal, etc.).
You are not to blame.
Act confident.
Make other friends.
Find activities to build self-confidence.
Do not use weapons to retaliate.
WHAT SHOULD YOU DO IF YOU WITNESS BULLYING?
Do not join in.
Attempt to diffuse bullying situations.
Get an adult.
Support the bullied person.
WHAT CAN PARENTS DO?
Ask your child what he or she thinks needs to be done.
Do not act without your child’s awareness.
Do not encourage fighting back.
Encourage the school to take this seriously.
Encourage your child to be with accepting peers and friends and avoid being alone.
Practice assertiveness conversations.
If you are concerned that your child is slipping into depression or begins to tune you out, contact a health care professional such as a child or adolescent therapist.
TERRY YOUNG Psy.D.
Director of Neuropsychological Services
262-782-1474
www.newliferesourcesinc.com
20700 Watertown Road,
Suite 102
Waukesha, WI 53186
