School+Bullying

By: Laura, Sara, Chelle, Brooke, and Deanna Edited by: jwhopkins0, eksisler0, lekeyton0, jawilson01, tadicks0, alcarpenter0, nrumstot0

Stupid, ugly, nerd, these have become common words that children call each other. Although some may be joking, these are still hurtful words. Some children hear these words directed at them everyday while others say them. School bullying is an important issue that should not be ignored. All teachers should be well-informed about bullying so that they can prevent it and help the victims.

Bullying is defined in many different ways. It can include physical or verbal abuse. It can also take place anywhere, including over the internet. This type of bullying is referred to as "cyber-bullying." “Physical bullying includes hitting, punching, kicking, and other types of physical harm, as well as destruction of a child’s property. Verbal bullying includes teasing, name-calling, taunting and racial slurs, as well as spreading gossip or malicious rumors. Cyber-bullying includes harassing e-mails or instant messages, as well as intimidating or threatening Web sites or blogs” (Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research, 2008). No matter the type of bullying they are all hurtful. Many times bullies exhibits common characteristics such as having a desire to get their own way by being impulsive and easily angered. When confronted by an adult, a bully may act aggressively toward them (American Psychological Association). Similar to bullies victims of bullies also have common characteristics. These characteristics include being sensitive, quiet, withdrawn, shy, anxious, insecure, depressed. Bullying victims usually have low self-esteem, and are sometimes engaged in suicidal acts (American Psychological Association). For students who are bullied school becomes a nightmare instead of a safe haven.

The results of bullying affect both the bully and the person that has been bullied. Those that bully as children are more likely to be part of serious violence and trouble in the future. Those that are bullied are likely to begin to fear school. They will fake being sick so that they will be able to get out of going to school and having to face the bully. The student will also find it difficult to do their schoolwork. The long terms affects on students that are bullied include having a higher risk of depression, anxiety and low self-esteem. These students are also more likely to have thoughts of suicide in the future.

There are many ways that teachers can help prevent or eliminate bullying. First of all teachers must be aware of the “social environment” of the school. (U.S. Department of Health and Human Resources). They need to know who is most likely to be bullied and who is most likely to do the bullying. Secondly, teachers should familiarize themselves with the bullying situation at their schools. This means that they should know where bullying is most likely to take place. It is also very important that teachers have the support of parents and all other staff at the school. Having other support of other adults will allow the anti-bullying program to be more effective. Teachers should create a group or committee that will focus on stopping bullying in the school. Teachers need to establish and enforce rules about bullying consistently and there should be no “end-date” for these policies. School staff should be made aware of the policies and supervision in “hot-spots” for bullying should be increased. Teachers should devote class time to stopping bullying so that students are made aware of bullying problems. (U.S. Department of Health and Human Resources). Nevertheless teachers are not the only ones that can help.

When it comes to school bullying there are a few things students can do to help. First of all, students need to be confident in themselves. Each student is unique and special and they need to embrace themselves. If children our proud of themselves and confidit their self -esteem will increase greatly Second, students should always have a buddy. When a student is doing an activity or even walking to class they should always be with a friend. By having a buddy, the student reduces the chances of of being picked on by a bully. Bullies are more likely to act out when a student is alone and vulnerable. If the buddy system does not work act brave and send the message “don’t mess with me.” Sometimes doing this can scare off a bully. The most importantly thing students can do is report bullying. This will make adults aware of what is going on.(Bullying Advice, 2009).

School bullying is becoming more common in schools. It is very important for parents and teachers to watch for signs that their children are being bullied. In addition, it is extremely important that they know how to help the child being bullied. Changing how students treat each other needs to start at home and be carried out at schools. If children show respect for each other and elders things would be much better for everyone.

Bibliography

American Psychological Association. (2004, Oct. 29). School Bullying is nothing new, but psychologists identify new ways to prevent it. Retrieved September 8, 2009, from []

(n.d.). Bullying Advice. Bullying Advice, Retrieved September 8, 2009, from www.bullyingadvice.info.

Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research. (2008). Bullying: Help your child handle a school bully. Children’s Health. Retrieved September 8, 2009, from []

School Bullying and Teasing Statistics. (2000-2004). Trouble Teen Help, Retrieved from []

U.S. Department of Health and Human Resources. Educators How Teachers Can Help Retrieved September 8, 2009, from Stop Bullying Now Web Site : []



What Teachers Can Do About Bullying There are many ways that teachers can help prevent bullying from occurring or stop existing bullying. First of all teachers must be aware of the “social environment” of the school. (U.S. Department of Health and Human Resources). Secondly, teachers should familiarize themselves with the bullying situation at their schools. It is also very important that teachers have the support of parents and all other staff at the school, so that all adults can help stop bullying. Teachers should create a group or committee that will focus on stopping bullying in the school. Teachers need to establish and enforce rules about bullying consistently and there should be no “end-date” for these policies. School staff should be made aware of the policies and supervision in “hot-spots” for bullying should be increased. Teachers should devote class time to stopping bullying so that students are made aware of bullying problems. (U.S. Department of Health and Human Resources). Posted by Laura Tantillo

Chelle Crotts: Bullying is defined in many different ways. It can include physical or verbal abuse. It can also take place anywhere even over the internet which is called cyberbullying. “Physical bullying includes hitting, punching, kicking, and other types of physical harm, as well as destruction of a child’s property. Verbal bullying includes teasing, name-calling, taunting and racial slurs, as well as spreading gossip or malicious rumors. Cyberbullying includes harassing e-mails or instant messages, as well as intimidating or threatening Web sites or blogs” (Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research, 2008).

Bullies are looking for attention. When they pick on someone else, it can make them feel big and powerful. Most bullies are trying to make themselves feel more important. Sometimes just acting brave is enough to stop a bully. Stand tall and send the message: "Don't mess with me." Two is better than one, if you're trying to avoid being bullied. Have a friend to walk with or play with at all times. Get involved if you see bullying going on in your school-tell an adult, stick up for the kid being bullied, and tell the bully to stop. Feel good about yourself. Nobody's perfect, but you can love who you are! By: Chelle Crotts (n.d.). Bullying Advice. //Bullying Advice//, Retrieved September 8, 2009, from www.bullyingadvice.info.

Bullets by Brooke Ritchey:

Bullies often exhibit characteristics of: a need to dominate and subdue other students and to get their own way · being impulsive and easily angered · often defiant and aggressive toward adults, including parents and teachers · show little empathy toward students who are victimized · if they are boys, they are physically stronger than boys in general (2004, Oct. 29). School Bullying is Nothing New, But Psychologists Identify New Ways to Prevent it. Retrieved September 8, 2009, from American Psychological Association Web site: []  Victims of bullies are often: · cautious, sensitive, quiet, withdrawn and shy · anxious, insecure, unhappy and have low self-esteem · depressed and engage in suicidal ideation much more often than their peers · alone with not even a single good friend and relates better to adults than peers · if a boy, may be physically weaker than peers (2004, Oct. 29). School Bullying is Nothing New, But Psychologists Identify New Ways to Prevent it. Retrieved September 8, 2009, from American Psychological Association Web site: []

Ø Thirty percent of teens in American are involved bullying as either the bully or the victim. Ø Teen bullying can lead teenagers to feel tense, anxious, afraid, and can affect their concentration in school. Ø School bullying occurs more frequently in boys than in girls. Retrieved September 8, 2009, from Family First Aid, Help For Troubled Teens Web site: http://familyfirstaid.org/bullying.html

Many times bullies exhibits common characteristics such as having a desire to get their own way by being impulsive and easily angered, and when confronted by an adult, a bully may act aggressively toward them (American Psychological Association). Just like bullies having common characteristics, victims of bullies also have common characteristics. These characteristics are: sensitive, quiet, withdrawn, shy, anxious, insecure, depressed, low self-esteem, and sometimes engaged in suicidal acts (American Psychological Association).<span style="font-family: Calibri,helvetica,sans-serif;">

posted by Deanna Delamater http://www.familyfirstaid.org/bullying.html • What is school bullying o A person or group of people trying to bring harm to someone that is weaker. o Harm could come in different ways such as hitting, threats, teasing, spreading rumors, name-calling or simply excluding someone. • How common is teen bullying? o 30% or over 5.7 million teens in the US are a part of bullying. o Either as the bully or the one being bullied. o Believed to be more common among younger teens. o Teen boys are more likely to be part of bullying than girls. o Boys target both boys and girls, where girls mainly target girls. • Long-term consequences. o It’s a warning sign that they could be heading to trouble and serious violence. o Boys that bully more likely to do vandalism, and drug use. http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/bullying/MH00126 • Types of bullying o Physical- hitting, punching, kicking and other harm done physically. o Verbal- teasing, name-calling, taunting, and gossip o Cyber- harassment through e-mails, IM’s, websites or blogs. • The consequences of bullying o They become afraid of school o Unable to do their school work. o Higher rates of depression, anxiety, low self-esteem o More likely to think of suicide.

Posted by Deanna The effects of bullying affect both the bully and the person that has been bullied. Those that bully children are more likely to be part of serious violence and trouble in the future. Those that are bullied are likely to begin to fear school. They will fake being sick so that they will be able to get out of going to school and having to face the bully. The student will also find it difficult to do their school work. The long terms affects on those students that are bullied are that they face a higher risk of having depression, anxiety and low self-esteem. These students are also more likely to have thoughts of suicide in the future.

(2000-2004). School Bullying and Teasing Statistics. Trouble Teen Help, Retrieved from http://www.familyfirstaid.org/bullying.html