What-Is-Bullying.pptx

What Is Bullying? Bullying is aggressive behavior that is intentional and that involves an imbalance of power or strength. Typically, it is repeated over time. A child who is being bullied has a hard time defending himself or herself. Bullying can take many forms, such as hitting or punching (physi...

What Is Bullying? Bullying is aggressive behavior that is intentional and that involves an imbalance of power or strength. Typically, it is repeated over time. A child who is being bullied has a hard time defending himself or herself. Bullying can take many forms, such as hitting or punching (physical bullying); teasing or namecalling (verbal bullying); intimidation using gestures or social exclusion (nonverbal bullying or emotional bullying); and sending insulting messages by e-mail (cyberbullying). by Joanne Kim What We Know About Bullying Research shows that bullying can be a sign of other serious antisocial or violent behavior. Children and youth who frequently bully their peers are more likely than others to get into frequent fights, be injured in a fight, vandalize or steal property, drink alcohol, smoke, be truant from school, drop out of school, and carry a weapon. Bullying also has an impact on other students at school who are bystanders to bullying. Bullying creates a climate of fear and disrespect in schools and has a negative impact on student learning. Myths About Bullying 1 1. Bullying is the 2 2. Most Bullying Is 3 3. Bullying Isn'T same thing as Physical Serious. It'S Just A conflict. Matter Of "Kids Being Wrong. Bullying is Physical bullying may be Kids." aggressive behavior that what first comes to mind Bullying can be extremely involves an imbalance of when adults think about serious. Bullying can affect power or strength. Often, bullying. However, the the mental well being, bullying is repeated over most common form of academic work, and time. Conflict involves bullying—both for boys and physical health of children antagonism among two or girls—is verbal bullying who are targeted. Children more people. Whereas any (e.g., name-calling, who are bullied are more Statistics on Bullying Bullied Bully Neither Studies show that between 15% of U.S. students are bullied with some frequency while 15% admit that they bully others with some frequency within a school term. The best way to find out about bullying at your child's school is to ask children and youth, themselves. One good way to do this is by administering an anonymous survey about where bullying occurs, when it occurs, What We Know About Bullying Some children have the confidence and skills to stop bullying when it happens, but many do not. Moreover, children shouldn't be expected to deal with bullying on their own. Bullying is a form of victimization or peer abuse. Just as society does not expect victims of other types of abuse (e.g., child maltreatment or domestic abuse) to "deal with it on their own," we should not expect this from victims of bullying. Adults have critical roles to play in helping to stop bullying, as do other children who witness or observe bullying. Impact on Bullies and Bystanders Impact on Bullies Impact on Bystanders Children who bully often have difficulty forming and Bystanders who witness bullying can experience maintaining healthy relationships. They may emotional distress, such as anxiety, fear, and experience social isolation and rejection. Bullying can sadness. They may feel powerless to intervene. also lead to legal consequences, such as suspension Bystanders may also be at risk of becoming targets or expulsion from school. of bullying themselves. Adult Response to Bullying Peer Risk Factors Children and youth who bully are more likely to have friends who bully and who have positive attitudes toward violence. In fact, research indicates that children and youth who bully are not socially isolated. They report having an easier time making friends than children and youth who do not bully. Individual and Family Factors There is no one single cause of bullying among children. Rather, individual, family, peer, school, and community factors can place a child or youth at risk for bullying his or her peers. In fact, most research indicates that children and youth who bully have average or above-average self-esteem. Characteristics of Children Who Bully Children who bully their peers regularly (i.e.,those who admit to bullying more than occasionally) tend to be impulsive, hot-headed, dominant, and easily frustrated. They also lack empathy, have difficulty following rules, and view violence in a positive way. Interventions that focus on building the self-esteem of children who bully probably will be ineffective in stopping bullying behavior. What to Do if Your Child is Bullying Others Take Bullying Spend Time With Encourage Work With School Seriously Your Child Prosocial Activities Staff Make it clear to your Spend more time with Build on your child's Share your concerns child that you take your child and carefully talents by encouraging with your child's bullying seriously and supervise and monitor him or her to get teacher, counselor, or that you will not his or her activities. Find involved in prosocial principal. Work together tolerate this behavior. out who your child's activities (such as to send clear messages Develop clear and friends are and how and clubs, music lessons, to your child that his or consistent rules within where they spend free nonviolent sports). her bullying must stop. your family for your time. children's behavior. References and Resources References References References References Byrne, B. J. (1994). Cairnes, R. B., Cairnes, Cunningham, P. B., Espelage, D., Bosworth, Bullies and victims in B. D., Neckerman, H. J., Henggeler, S. W., K., & Simon, T. (2000). school settings with Gest, S. D., & Gariepy, J. Limber, S. P., Melton, G. Examining the social reference to some L. (1988). Social B., and Nation, M. A. context of bullying Dublin schools. Irish networks and (2000). Patterns and behaviors in early Journal of Psychology, aggressive behavior: correlates of gun adolescence. Journal of 15, 574-586. Peer support or peer ownership among Counseling and rejection? nonmetropolitan and Development, 78, 326- Developmental rural middle school 333. Psychology, 24, 815- students. Journal of 823. Clinical Child Psychology, 29, 432- What to Do if Your Child is Bullying Others 1 Address the Behavior It is important to address the bullying behavior directly with your child. Explain to them that bullying is unacceptable and that it hurts others. Encourage them to be kind and respectful to others. 2 Explore the Underlying Causes Try to understand why your child is bullying others. Are they struggling with social skills, feeling insecure, or experiencing difficulties at school? Addressing these underlying issues can help reduce bullying behavior. 3 Seek Professional Help If your child's bullying behavior persists, consider seeking professional help from a therapist or counselor. They can provide guidance and support to help your child develop healthy coping mechanisms and social skills. References and Resources These and other materials are available online at: www.stopbullyingnow.hrsa.gov