What is bullying?
Seeking to hurt, harm, or intimidate one other seen as vulnerable.
Hitting, fighting, pushing, and shoving is Physical bullying.
Name calling, excluding someone, spreading rumors, putting one other down, and laughing at someone is Emotional bullying.
Sending hurtful messages, posting rude or false statements, and posting negative comments is Cyber bullying.
Why does bullying happen?
Those who bully are more likely than average to have experienced a stressful or traumatic situation in the past 5 years. Some examples are parents/guardians splitting up, a death of a relative, or getting a brother or sister. Maybe even they themselves were once bullied.
Some of us use behaviors, such as meditation, exercise and talk therapy to relieve the stress. Others use negative behaviors such as bullying, violence and alcohol abuse, which temporarily ‘mask’ the issues but usually make them worse in the long-term.
How does bullying affect the bully?
Kids who bully others can also engage in violent and other risky behaviors into adulthood. Kids who bully are more likely to abuse alcohol and other drugs in adolescence and as adults, get into fights, vandalize property, and drop out of school engage in early sexual activity, have criminal convictions and traffic citations as adults, and be abusive toward their romantic partners, spouses, or children as adults.
What can we do to put an end to bullying?
When authority respond quickly and consistently to bullying behavior, they send the message that it is not acceptable. Research shows this can stop bullying behavior over time. Parents, school staff, and other adults in the community can help kids prevent bullying by talking about it.
Be Authentically You.
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