Chapter 4 Lesson 1 - Textbook PDF

What Is Bullying? MAIN IDEA​ ​Most students have been bullied at one time or another. Has a bully ever bothered you? Perhaps someone called you names or even threatened to hurt you physically. Have you ever watched a bully pick on someone at lunchtime or after school? Josh was waiting in line in t...

What Is Bullying? MAIN IDEA​ ​Most students have been bullied at one time or another. Has a bully ever bothered you? Perhaps someone called you names or even threatened to hurt you physically. Have you ever watched a bully pick on someone at lunchtime or after school? Josh was waiting in line in the school cafeteria. Suddenly, he felt someone shove him, almost causing him to fall over. Josh then heard Rick and three of his friends laughing, “Move out of the way, loser,” as the four cut in front of Josh. Angry, Josh felt an urge to push Rick back, but he noticed a teacher was walking toward them. He was glad that the teacher intervened. Think about the example of Josh. What would you do if you saw this happening at your school? This disrespectful behavior is an example of bullying​.​ Bullies may tease other teens or try to keep them out of a group. They may even attack physically. If you have ever been bullied, you are not alone. Three out of four students have been bullied at one time or another. The 2015 Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System reports that 20 percent of students in grades 9 to 12 nationwide experienced bullying. Bullying behavior often affects students in grades 7 to 9. What ​are​ Bullying Behaviors? Bullies often taunt people who are shy or stand out in some way. Bullies can be boys or girls. Male bullies often use threats of physical violence. Female bullies often use verbal put-downs that hurt other people’s feelings. These are the different kinds of bullying: Physical bullying​—hitting, kicking, pinching, spitting, tripping/pushing, taking personal belongings, or making mean or rude hand gestures Verbal bullying​—teasing, labeling​,​ taunting, or making threats to physically harm Psychological bullying​—intimidation​,​ spreading rumors, isolating a person, or threatening to use force, embarrassing in public Where Bullying Occurs Bullying can happen almost anywhere during or after school hours. Most reported bullying occurs in school buildings. It can also occur in places like the school playground or on the bus, while walking going to or from school, in your neighborhood, or on the Internet. What ​is​ Harassment? Everyone jokes around with friends. Sometimes, you may even laugh at a friend’s behavior. If the friend is laughing with you, joking can be fun. However, joking can become disrespectful if you make jokes about another person and that person feels hurt. If the behavior is directed toward another person because of race, national origin, color, gender, age, disability, and/or religion it becomes harassment​. ​When harassment becomes violent, it might become a hate crime. A hate crime is a crime committed against another person or group based on racial, religious, or sexual background. Another form of harassment is unwanted touching. If two friends are talking, one friend may offer the other a hug. This type of touching can be a sign of caring and support. Sometimes, touching can be used as a way to show power. A person who wants power over another person may use unwanted touching. An unwanted touch can be a forced hug. It can also be touching someone on their backside while they walk past you in the hall at school. One person should always ask for permission before touching another person. Bullying and harassment may include some of the same behaviors. Harassment, though, is defined by Federal civil rights law. This law refers to harassment that is severe, persistent, or creates a hostile environment. It protects against harassment based on a person’s:  national origin race skin color gender age religious beliefs Harassment that involves behavior or remarks of a sexual nature is called sexual harassment​.​ This type of harassment is the uninvited and unwelcome sexual conduct directed at another person. Obscene or inappropriate e-mails, text messages, or voice mails with a sexual meaning can also be sexual harassment. This kind of unwelcome and uninvited behavior is illegal. A type of conduct related to harassment is gender discrimination. Gender discrimination can be directed at a male or a female. In either case, gender discrimination is wrong. You should not judge a person based upon his or her gender. How Can I Respond ​to​ Harassment? You have probably heard that everyone is different. Have you thought about what that might mean? Your friends may prefer to play team sports while you like solo activities like cross-country running. You may like spicy foods because your family’s ethnic background includes cooking with spices. Other students may observe religious holidays that your family does not observe. Our differences are what make us interesting to other people. Making a joke about someone else because of that person’s race, gender, ethnic identity, religion, or a physical disability is harassment. Harassment is a crime. If you are a target of harassment, here are some strategies you can use to stop the harassment: Tell the person to stop. Make it clear that the harassment is unacceptable. Say that if it continues, you will report the harassment. Use an assertive communications style. Use a firm speaking voice, looking the person in the eye. Let your parents or other guardians know what is happening. Ask for advice on handling the harassment. If the harassment continues, report it to an adult. Harassment is illegal and charges can be filed against the person who is harassing you. Why DoTeens Get Bullied? The reasons why teens get bullied have little to do with the teen who is being bullied. A bully will target another teen because he or she is trying to fill an unmet need. Some teens may bully others to feel good about him or herself. Being different in any way is one reason why a teen is bullied. It is common during the teen years to want to fit in with a group. However, as you become an adult, you will begin to value your individuality more. You may have heard the saying, “everyone is different.” Our differences are what make us interesting to other people. Some people, though, are uncomfortable with differences. They may choose to become bullies and target teens who are different. Other reasons that teens may be targeted by bullies include: considered to be different: being overweight or underweight, being uninterested in sports or athletics, wearing glasses or different clothing, being new to a school, or not having popular items. considered to be weak or unable to defend themselves. considered to be annoying or provoking. depressed, anxious, or insecure with low self-esteem. less popular than others and having few friends. unable to get along well with others. READING CHECK Identify​ Federal law protects against harassment based on what protected classes? Why Do Teens Become Bullies? Teens who bully use their “power” to hurt people. The bully’s power does not always mean he or she is bigger or stronger. The bully might be popular or smart—or the bully may know a secret about the person being bullied. Though bullying is not a healthy behavior, reasons why teens may become bullies include: to fit in with a group. to feel superior. to avoid being bullied themselves. lack of tolerance of others who are different. lack of parent supervision. Bullied teens may not be aware that bullies actually have low self-esteem. They pick on others to make themselves feel better or more important. Pushing other people around may make them feel superior. Also, a bully almost always needs an audience that supports his or her actions. Many bullies have been bullied by other teens. So, they might bully as a way to be part of a group or to keep from being bullied themselves. However, this means that the negative cycle of bullying repeats itself unless it is broken. READING CHECK Explain​ What is one main reason that bullies pick on others?