Bullying could be one of the most stressful feelings in young people’s lives. It is a form of deliberately inflicted cruelty and most commonly happens in schools.It can profoundly affect both the victim’s as well as the bully’s life.
It happens majorly due to differences in strengths between two people.It can include name calling, teasing, ganging up, preventing others from walking around, taking away their belongings,etc. It can be physical or mental. Verbal abuse is the most common type of bullying today.
Children who bully may have several reasons such as for fun, have a violent family background, have been victims themselves, have been affected by television, enjoy feeling of control and power, or just for seeking admiration. Children who are bullied may look different from others, or come from a different culture, have a certain disability like handicap or stammering, lack social outlook, may feel inferior or are just stressed out.
Some signs that chidlren are being bullied are not wanting to attend school, finding excuses to stay back, look unhappy after school, loss of personal belongings, not having friends, refusing to talk about school, etc. If you find your child showing any of these signs, follow these tips:
• Offer help and be understanding and receptive to your children’s feelings.
• Talk about it with your child and plan a solution together, be it involving teachers, other parents or friends, or even changing school.
• Try not to take control over the situation or be aggressive, unless its an emergency your child cannot handle.
• Encourage your child to think of ways to avoid bullying, for example taking a different route to school, or staying in a group.
• If bullying continues, approach and talk to the school authorities.
• If you feel your child is traumatised, seek professional help.
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