Preventing School

Bullying

Editha T. Honradez

Ma-EdGuidance and Counseling

School bullying can be described as a situation in which one or more students (the ‘bullies’) single out a child (the ‘victim’) and engage in behaviors intended to harm that child.

A bully will frequently target the same victim repeatedly over time. A child who bullies can dominate the victim because the bully possesses more power than the victim. Compared to his or her victim, for example, the bully may be physically stronger or more intelligent, have a larger circle of friends, or possess a higher social standing. Bullying can inflict physical harm, emotional distress, and / or social embarrassment or humiliation.

What is school bullying?

What Is Bullying?• Bullying is a dynamic of unhealthy interaction. It

is a form of repeated aggression used from a position of power. It can be physical, verbal, or social.

• Physical or psychological intimidation that occurs repeatedly over time

• Bullying can be overt (i.e., teasing, hitting, or stealing); boys are most often overt bullies

. Bullying can covert (i.e., spreading rumors or exclusion); girls are most often covert bullies

Excluding, spreading,

rumors, telling lies

Bullying:Deliberate (on

purpose)Repeated (more

than once)Power Imbalanced(unequal power)

Indirect (Behind Your Back)

Yelling, teasing, insulting

Pushing, hitting, kicking

Verbal (Words)Physical (Actions)

What Is Bullying?

Children who are bullied are often insecure,

socially isolated,

anxious, and have low self-

esteem

They are unlikely to

defend themselve

s or retaliate

Parents of children who

are bullied are often

overprotective or enmeshed

with their children

They tend to be

weaker than their

peers

Children who are bullied perceive

parent or teacher intervention to be ineffective

and are unlikely to report the

problem

Who Are The Victims of Bullying

Who Are Bullies?

Children who bully typically demonstrate a strong sense of self-esteem

They like to feel powerful and in control

Bullies often come from homes that use physical punishment to discipline

Caregivers of bullies are typically uninvolved and lack warmth

Children who bully are often defiant toward authority figures and are apt to break rules

• Don’t recognize it as bullying

• Are embarrassed

• Don’t want to appear weak

• Believe they deserve it

•Want to belong

• Fear retaliation

• Don’t know how to talk about it

• Don’t have a trusted adult to confide in

• Think adults won’t understand

• Think nothing can be done about it

Why Most Bullying Is Not Reported

• Decline in school achievement

• Unexplained damage or loss ofclothing and other personal items

• Evidence of physical abuse, such as bruises and scratches

• Loss of friends; changes in friends

• Reluctance to participate in activities with peers

• Loss of interest in favorite activities

• Unusually sad, moody, anxious, lonely, or depressed

• Problems with eating, sleeping, bed-wetting

• Headaches, stomachaches, or other physical complaints

• Thoughts of suicide

What are some warning signs of bullying?

Victims of bullying may experience problems with academics,

They may even develop an apparent phobia aboutattending school.

Bullying can also leave a lasting imprint on its victims. Victims of bullying are often socially marginalized to start with, having few if any friends.

They may engage in specific strategies to dodge the bully

Individuals who were chronically bullied as children may show

symptoms of depression and poor self-esteem as adults.

What impact does bullying have on its victims?

• Develop a school-wide bullying policy to:

raise awareness of teachers and administrators

create a framework for responding to bullying

improve overall school environment

ensure change is occurring in the classroom

empower students through programs suchas peer counseling, mediation, or conflict

resolution

What can schools do to stop bullying?

Develop classroom rules against bullying

Develop cooperative learning projects that encourage teamwork and reduce social isolation

Create activities or assignments that teach problem-solving or conflict-resolution skills

Participate in role-playing or other activities to help children understand the perspectives of others and identify feelings

What can schools do to stop bullying?

• Implement classroom curriculum:

Allow students to fill out surveys to better understand their perspective of bullying Inform caregivers of bullying policies/curriculum through conferences, newsletters, or PTA meetings

Encourage parent involvement in anti-bullying initiatives

What can schools do to stop bullying?

Raise awareness of bullying:

Books & Articles:

ERIC (1997). What should parents and teachers know about bullying? [Brochure]. US Department of Education.

Daniel F. Perkins, Ph.D., Associate Professor of Family and Youth Resiliency and Policy, The Pennsylvania State University, Department of Agricultural and Extension Education, 3232 Agriculture Administration Building, University ParK, 16802-2601.

Preventing Classroom Bullying: What Teachers Can Do Jim Wrighthttp://www.interventioncentral.orgFirst Published: April 2003 Revised: February 2004

Eyes on Bullying What Can You Do? Website: eyesonbullying.orgEmail: eyesonbullying@edc.org