Back to school already? For students all across the country, the time for heading back to school is just around the corner. With all of the cool new clothes, class loads, teachers, and friends comes a less wanted occurrence, bullying. As defined by Dan Olweus, founder of the Olweus Prevention Program, bullying happens when a person is exposed to repeated negative actions at the hands of one or more people and cannot defend himself or herself.
Fast Facts on Bullying
- According to a study done by the Josephson Institute of Ethics in Los Angeles in 2010, it was reported that over half of the high school students surveyed admitted to either being bullied or bullying someone else (Gaul).
- Bullying takes several forms. For example, bullying can appear as direct face-to-face taunting, over social media and technology, or in passive aggression, such as laughing at others or sitting back and watching others being bullied (Olweus).
- Based on bullying statistics from 2010, approximately 2.7 million students were bullied by an estimated 2.1 million bullies (Bullying).
Bullies Be Gone
While bullying is often considered some right of passage or just another "phase" of growing up, it is essential to remember that times now are different than when you grew up. It can be difficult to truly understand what kids these days are going through unless you are actually going through their issues as well. What may have been senseless joking or poking fun when you were in school, could be much more harsh and grandiose in the present day. Be mindful and as understanding as possible when talking to kids about present day bullying issues.
Be proactive with bullying. Keep in mind that it is much more difficult to correct a bad habit once it is started than it is to talk about an issue before habits can form. So, basically, I'm saying to talk it out? Yes. Start talking to your kids, students, and friends about bullying before it becomes an issue. One of the best ways to do this is to talk about how they like to be treated and why it is important to treat others with respect and kindness. Be sensitive to the notion that one conversation surrounding bullying is most likely not going to be enough to keep kids from becoming bullies or enough for some kids to open up about being bullied.
This all seems simple, but what if just talking isn't enough? If talking about bullying doesn't seem to be easing issues your child is having, then contact someone for more information and help. Get to know your kids' teachers, administrators, and other influential people at their schools that might be able to extend a helping hand. Also, many schools have anti-bullying policies that are made public to the entire school community. Familiarize yourself with the policy at your child's school.
Don't be afraid to speak up if you see something with the policy that doesn't seem to be working effectively. These policies were put into place to keep students safe, so they need to be current, polished, and accurate. By voicing opinions and concerns about these anti-bullying policies, you will be helping to create a more fluid, comprehensive plan for everyone.
Sources:
Bullying Statistics 2010, Bullying Statistics Online.
Gaul, Carisa. Bullying Survey Reports 50% of High School Students Admit to Violence, USA Live
Headlines.
Olweus, Dan. What Is Bullying? Olweus Bullying Prevention Program Online.
Sarai Garnett - Sarai Garnett believes that every day brings promise for great experiences. Holding a B.A. in Interpersonal and Organizational ...
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