Bullying – Child’s Play?

University of Houston – Clear LakeCounselor Education Program – Fall 2004

Claudia GonzalezSandra Rios

Translated by Ruby S. Martinez

“Name calling, humiliation, spreading rumors, gossiping, public ridicule, scapegoating and blaming, isolating, punching, hitting, kicking, taunting, ostracizing, sexualizing, and making ethnic or gender slurs”

“Bullying is carried out by someone who has more power against someone who has less power”

66% of adolescents are teased at least once a month, and nearly 1/3 of adolescents are bullied at least once a month.

6 out of 10 American teens witness bullying at least once a day.

Adolescents in grades 6-10, nearly 1 in 6 -or 3.2 million-are victims of bullying each year and 3.7 million are bullies.

http:www.womedia.org/lgr_statistics.htm

An estimated 160,000 children miss school every day fearing further harassment or coercion by other students.

1 out of every 10 students drops out of school because of repeated bullying.

They are more likely to experience physical problems such as common colds, coughs, sore throats, poor appetite, and night waking.

Victims of bullying are 5 times more likely to be depressed and far more likely to be suicidal.

http://www.womedia.org/lgr_statistics.htm

May be stigmatized by other children as well; wearing away their self-belief

Reflect feelings of self criticism

Possibly justify the bullying

May isolate and steer clear of social and intellectual situations

Are usually sheltered by parents who promote needy behavior

May be victims of abuse in their own home

Wheeler & Baron, 1994, p. 55

fearful of being found out

terrified that others will see their shortfalls and loneliness

afraid to take responsibility for their behavior

scared to confront themselves

Middelton-Moz & Zawadski, 2002, p. 166

acknowledge their own actions

acknowledge the results of their behavior on themselves

change their actions to stay out of trouble

find other ways to get their needs met

acknowledge the results of their behavior on others

learn to trust and delay gratification

form relationships with helping adults

Stan Davis http://www.stopbullyingnow.com

February, 2004

1. Be aware that bullying is a serious problem.2. Be aware that victims are physically weaker,

often younger.3. Recognize that it is a real problem for children.4. Immediately inform your child’s school of your

concerns if incidents take place at school, in route or elsewhere.

5. Watch for symptoms. 6. Talk and listen to your child.7. Don’t bully your child yourself.8. Teach your child to be independent.

Wheeler & Baron, 1994, p. 61

Berger, K.S. (1980). The Developing Person: Through Childhood and Adolescence. New York, NY: Worth Publishers.

Middleton-Moz, J. and Zawadski, M. L. (2002). Bullies From the Playground To the Boardroom: Strategies for Survival. Deerfield Beach, Fla.: Health Communications, Inc.

“Stop Bullying Now!” by Stan Davis. Retrieved on 11/20/2004. http://www.stopbullyingnow.com.

Wheeler, E.D., and Baron, S. A., PhD. (1994). Violence In Our Schools, Hospitals, and Public Places: A Prevention and Management Guide. Ventura, CA: Pathfinder Publishing.

Women’s Educational Media. “Let’s Get Real Statistics on Name-Calling, Bullying and School Violence”. Retrieved on 11/20/2004.

http://www.womedia.org/lgr_statistics.htm