Did You Know?
The US Government defines bullying as unwanted, aggressive behavior among school-aged children that involves a real or perceived power imbalance. The behavior is repeated or has the potential to be repeated over time (stopbullying.com)
Bullying is Not Just a Part of Growing Up!
There are common misconceptions about what bullying is, but social scientists now agree that bullying is not just a part of growing up and can produce harmful effects to the entire community where it exists. There are differences between mean or rude behavior, conflicts and bullying.
Types of Bullying: Physical
Involves hitting, pushing, or attacking another’s body causing physical pain. Also includes damaging or taking away personal belongings.
Types of Bullying: Verbal
Using cruel or humiliating language and also threatening to harm someone or making inappropriate comments.
Types of Bullying: Social
The act of ignoring or excluding others from the group. It also involves hurting someone’s reputation or relationships by telling others not to be friends with someone, spreading rumors, or publicly embarrassing someone.
Types of Bullying: Cyberbullying
Is done through technology (phones, tablets, or computers). It occurs when cruel and/or threatening comments, rumors, pictures, and videos are circulated using text messages, emails, or social media.
Imbalance of Power
In a given circumstance, one person has more power to achieve goals than another.
A perceived imbalance of power means that one person thinks another person has more power. One obvious power imbalance is physical. This is when one person is physically larger or stronger than the other.
A power imbalance can involve an authority figure, such as parents over children or teachers over students.
A less obvious power imbalance is social. The social advantage comes from popularity or hanging out in a large peer group. There is also a systematic imbalance of power, one that is a part of a social system. For example, groups that are privileged in society often think that they have power over other groups.
Harmful Effects
Bullying is a widespread problem that involves and affects numerous students. Further, the dangers of bullying can be serious and long-lasting. Students who bully are more likely than their peers to use aggression to solve problems and have negative and antisocial behaviors. They are more likely to be involved in criminal activity, drop out of high school, fight, vandalize property, show abusive behaviors and have lower income levels in adulthood.
Students who are the targets of bullying are more likely than their peers to have feelings of anxiety, loneliness, and depression. They are likely to avoid going to school and struggle with academics.
Statistics: According to stopbullying.gov
