Bullying

HealthWatch for June 2005
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How widespread is bullying? According to a recent poll, 86% of 9 to 13 year-old boys and girls said they’ve seen someone else being bullied, 48% said they’ve been bullied and 42% admitted to bullying other kids.

So, what is bullying? While black-eyes and bruises are telltale signs, bullying is not always clear cut. It can take different forms - in addition to kicking, hitting, or threats of physical harm, it can also involve shunning, mocking, incessant name-calling, racial or ethnic slurs, and inappropriate sexual contact or comments. And bullies can be anywhere - at school, at home, at work or on-line.

Look for signs your child might be a victim of bullying:
mysterious illnesses invented to avoid school (for example, stomachaches, headaches, etc.)
missing belongings or money
sleep problems
bedwetting
irritability
poor concentration
unexpected changes in routine
problems with schoolwork

Bullying is a form of ABUSE. The consequences of bullying are more than just unpleasant. According to a recent National Institute of Health study, boys and girls who bully other children seem to be at risk for more serious violent behavior. Chronic bullying can lead to depression, suicide, misplaced aggression, academic underachievement and difficulty with interpersonal relationships.

Aware and responsive adults can make the difference.

Sources: KidsHealth for Parents from Nemours, NIH News from the National Institutes of Health, Stop Bullying Now and Bullying is not a fact of life from the US Department of Heath and Human Services

For more information, visit these websites:

Bullying is not a fact of life from the U.S. Department of Heath and Human Services
National Institutes of Health
Bullying and Your Child from Nemours
National Youth Violence Prevention Resource Center
Medline Plus

For Kids & Teens:

Stop Bullying Now
Dealing with Bullying
What If You’re the Bully?
Beat Bullying
Tolerance.org for Kids
Tolerance.org for Teens