Physical Bullying in School
Bullying in schools has always been a problem, but in the years since the shootings at Columbine, the subject has received a great deal of attention. Physical bullying is not the only kind, or even necessarily the most damaging.
However, since it is definitely the most visible type, it may be the kind of bullying most readily addressed by authority. Children who do not have any idea of how to deal with bullies may live in constant fear of physical bullying. Although they want and need help, they may feel ashamed to ask from what they see as a position of weakness. They may also be living under threats of physical harm if they tell, from the person who is harassing them.
Physical bullying is defined by harassing contact, which in the adult world might constitute assault and/or battery. The victim is specifically targeted for humiliation or torment by stealing or destroying belongings, administering punches or slaps, kicking or spitting, and many other intimidating and harmful actions by a stronger or more socially dominant child or group of children.
Why Does Bullying Happen?
Bullying tends to result from some lack of respect for authority or low self esteem in the aggressor. Most physical bullying is done by, and to, males in middle school, which is the ‘peak’ age for the behavior. However, this is by no means universal. Female students also bully and get bullied, and the behavior can happen both before and after middle school age, and some people even continue the behavior into adulthood. It is most common during adolescence because it is during those years that these children are striving to find their place in the increasingly adult culture of their peers. Performing, being victimized by, or condoning acts of bullying can have negative effects on all of the participants.
What Are The Effects of Bullying?
The victims of bullies are often targeted for physical weakness or for being different from the norm in some way. Disregarding any physical consequences of the violent acts, the victims can develop a number of issues including depression or self esteem issues. They often lie or cover up what has happened to hide their undeserved sense of shame at being victimized. The bullies themselves can also develop serious problems as adults, since their socialization skills are skewed. Adult relationships with family and authority are sometimes not properly contextualized. This can lead eventually to failed marriages or family schisms, adult violence, and even criminal behavior.
What Can Be Done To Help Stop Bullying?
Most schools have anti bullying measures in place, or they are in the process of implementing such measures. If parents suspect that their child has a bullying problem at school, the should contact the school counselor or school administrators.
This should be done with the goal of working together to get the problem resolved. Parents should also be attentive to their children. If you suspect your child is being abused physically by a bully, ask questions and find out what is going on. Remember that some children may feel ashamed of being bullied and may go to extreme lengths to hide it, but reassure them that it is not their fault that they have been targeted. Do not belittle it or mistake it for a rite of passage. Your school district should take any reports very seriously, as it is in the best interest of all the children to get such situations resolved. If the problem of physical bullying continues, you may have to contact your local police department. Whatever you do, make sure that you are there to support your child and let them know that you will continue to do what is necessary to end the torment.
Other reading that may interest you:
(Links will go to Amazon.com)
Nobody Knew What to Do: A Story about Bullying This is a short book written for children in the 4 – 8 year old age group. It is only 32 pages long, but has received excellent reviews for its ability to explain a difficult subject to young children. It presents ideas for how teachers and bystanders can play a part in ending a bullying situation.
The Bully, The Bullied, and the Bystander: From Preschool to High School –How Parents and Teachers Can Help Break the Cycle This book by Barbara Coloroso offers insights into how the three players in the books title carry out their part in a bullying situation. Tips are offered for parents and teachers so that they can better understand what happens in bullying situations and know how to better handle them. Topics include the very important role that “bystanders” can play in a bullying situation.
Category: Bullying Help, Stop Bullying
I HATE BULLYING ,,,,,,,,,,!!!!!!!!!!!!!!$!!!!$!!!!!
The idea that having to deal with bullies is a natural part of growing up is so wrong. The idea must have come from people who were either bystanders or bullies themselves. No one deserves that kind of treatment, and it is definitely no OK for bullies to intentionally try to hurt someone just to keep themselves entertained and inflate their own pathetic egos.
I simply cannot stand bullies. I dealt with them when I was growing up and it makes me sad to see that cyber bullying seems to have become a new kind of bullying problem. I would suggest that anyone who has problems with bullies does everything that they can, including going to the authorities (and following through) to get it handled. When people make it clear that bullying is not worth the trouble it can bring to the bully, maybe they will start to get the message.
i dont like bullying
I am always picked on the idea of bullying makes me sick! I cant stand to see a kid of any age bullied. I know it is hard to take a stand but if you do really think about it if you do nothing the kid that is getting bullied might go home and kill themselves
Well, I’m sure that no one wants that to happen, but the fact is that it does sometimes. You can help without getting into a confrontation. Sometimes kids in a situation like you are describing are desperately seeking someone that they can talk to and trust. Being that person, or guiding them to the help they need can make a huge difference to someone who feels like nobody cares about them.
bulling needs to stop now
Yes it does, but we can’t all wait for someone else to “fix” the problem. Each of us has to commit to the idea that bullying is unacceptable and then “be the change” that we want to see in the world. That means that instead of looking for bullies to take on, live as an example of how each of us can help others instead of hurting them. It is a win/win situation when you do treat other people the way you would like to be treated.
Yes it does, but we each need to ask ourselves what we can do to make the situation better. I personally don’t believe that looking for confrontations with bullies is the answer. Is there a way that you can make a positive difference for someone who might be getting bullied? If you, yourself, are getting bullied, have you told anyone about the problem? To make change happen, we have to do things differently than we have been.
All the kinds of bullying is not respectful and cruel so plz help me and all the others stop bullying so people can stop getting hurt and there family and friends can stop getting hurt as well!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!<3