Bullying

Major Issue

When it comes time to sending your little one to school, parents fear the fact that they might get bullied. Parents are used to being with their kids since they were little that when it comes time to send them to school, it hurts them a little to leave them with a stranger for a couple of hours, and then adding the fact that they can get bullied makes it even more scarier for a parent. Bullying is everywhere. Not only little kids get affected by it, but adults also can get bullied. There has been cases everywhere of kids getting bullied in school and sometimes even at their own home by their siblings. But things can change. Knowing to read the signs and knowing how someone can prevent it can make a big difference.



Research

Bullying is unwanted, aggressive behavior among school aged children that involves a real or perceived power imbalanced ("Warning Signs for Bullying", 2019). It said that for it to be considered bullying the behavior must be aggressive and include: 
1. An imbalance of Power 
 2. Repetition

An imbalanced of power is when kids who bully use their power to control or harm others. The power imbalances can change over time and in different situations even if it involves the same person. When it comes to repetition it is talking about behaviors that happen more than once. If something happens only one time then it is not considered bullying. 



What is considered bullying?

• making threats
• spreading rumors
• attacking someone physically or verbally
• excluding someone from a group on purpose

There are 3 types of bullying

1.   Verbal bullying
• teasing
• name calling
• threat making 
2.   Social bullying
• leaving someone out on purpose
• spreading rumors about someone
3.   Physical bullying
• hitting/ kicking
• spitting
• pushing

Statistics

• The 2017 Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System indicates that, nationwide, 19% of students in grades 9-12 report being bullied on school property.
• The 2015 School Crime Supplement indicates that about 21% of students age 12-18 experienced bullying.
• Six out of 10 teenagers say they witness bullying in school once a day.
• 64% of children who were bullied did not report it.
• Nearly 70% of students think schools respond poorly to bullying.
• An estimate of 160,000 US children miss school every day due to fear of attack or intimidation by other students. 
• When bystanders intervene, bullying stops within 10 seconds 57% of the time.

Why is it Important?

I am a mother of a 3 year old boy. My son is very friendly and makes new friends every where we go. But sometimes when we are at the park, there are few little kids that think they own the playground. They don't let kids play with certain things in the playground, or when kids take their own toys to play with the sand, they try and take them away from the other kids and take control of the toys. They don't like to share. Then it gets me thinking, if this is how they act in public when there is a parent around, how would they act at school when they are with lots of other kids with not enough toys for everyone to play with at the same time and there is only one adult there with them. I've heard of parents taking their kids to school since the age of three or even as small as three years old. I think the other way around. In my opinion that is too early for a kid to go to school. I always think, they are going to go to school for about 15 years why start them so young. I prefer them living their freedom as a child, and of course I get to enjoy them a little longer also. I chose the social issue of bullying because since my son is going to preschool next year, I wanted to learn more about this issue. I have seen news reporting of situations of school that go the wrong direction all because of bullying. I believe that if people knew the signs and understand what exactly is considered bullying, kids would not have to go through that let down. It affects their self- esteem and confidence in themselves. Education starts in the home but schools can also do their part. I went directly to high school students to ask their opinion in how they think a change can be done. With a little help of everyone, bullying can go away.

LET THEIR VOICES BE HEARD!!!

"One thing that can help get rid of bullies at school is speaking up and not being afraid to stand up for yourself" 

-Wendy

"Not being afraid to defend yourself and talk to adults you trust and just speak up in general"

-Ashley

"If you speak up for those who are getting bullied it can help but there should also be serious consequences for those who bully"

-Mikaela

"You can get rid of bullying by becoming friends with people who seem like they don't have friends also when you see someone getting bullied, you can help out"

-Beverly

"If the teachers and administrators would actually get involved and be worried about the kids. Also teachers need to stop choosing kids for their differences because that gives other kids the freedom to pick on others since they see the teacher"

-Jocelyn

Sources

Statistics and Laws - Riverside Medical Clinic Charitable Foundation. (2019). Retrieved from https://www.rmccharity.org/bullying-prevention-institute/resources/facts-and-laws/#.Wn3lv66nGpo

Warning Signs for Bullying. (2019). Retrieved from https://www.stopbullying.gov/at-risk/warning-signs/index.html