BULLYING

- repeated and systematic harassment and attacks on others - can be perpetrated by individuals or groups Bullying behaviors: physical violence and attacks verbal taunts, name-calling and put-downs threats and intimidation extortion or stealing of money and possessions exclusion from the peer group Racially or ethnically-based verbal abuse Gender-based put-downs Severe bullying involves physical, verbal, or psychological abuse over an extended period of time.

How prevalent is bullying? Studies have consistently shown that at least 15% of school age children are effected About 9% are victims About 7% bully Students in younger grades are involved Boys are more likely to be bullies than girls

Dynamics of Bully-Victim Situations A power differential exists between the bully and the victim Bullies tend to be:  Confident  Aggressive  lack empathy for the victim Bullies come from homes where there is poor supervision, and modeling of and tolerance for aggressive behavior Victims tend to be quiet, passive children with few friends Victims do not respond effectively to aggressive actions Victims are ashamed, and often don't tell an adult

FAMILY FACTORS: A number of child-rearing styles have been found to predict whether children will grow up to be aggressive bullies. A lack of attention and warmth toward the child, together with modeling of aggressive behavior at home, and poor supervision of the child Modeling of aggressive behavior may include - use of physical and verbal aggression toward the child - use of physical and verbal aggression by parents toward each other

INDIVIDUAL FACTORS: The best-documented individual child factor in bullying is temperament. Temperament refers to tendencies which develop personality styles and interpersonal behaviors - active and impulsive - Boys = physical strength

SIGNS OF A BULLY Teases others Threatens others Hot-tempered Impulsive Uncontrolled Aggressive toward adults Tough (shows no sympathy) Involved with crime

SIGNS OF BEING BULLIED: Frightened of walking to/from school Doesn't want to go to school the “normal” way Changes their usual routine Is unwilling to go to school (school phobic) Becomes withdrawn anxious, or lacking in confidence Starts stammering Attempts or threatens suicide Runs away Cries themselves to sleep at night or has nightmares Feels ill in the morning Begins to do poorly in school work Comes home with clothes torn or books damaged Has possessions end up "missing" Asks for money or starts stealing money (to pay bully) Has unexplained cuts or bruises Comes home starving (money / lunch has been stolen) Becomes aggressive, disruptive or unreasonable Is bullying other children or siblings Stops eating Is frightened to say what's wrong Gives improbable excuses for any of the above

Victims of bullying typically are very unhappy children who suffer from fear, anxiety, and low self-esteem as a result of the bullying.

They may try to avoid school, and to avoid social interaction, in an effort to escape the bullying. Some victims of bullying are so distressed that they complete or attempt suicide.