Bullying is any behavior that makes
the person being bullied feel afraid,
uncomfortable or helpless.
Bullying facts:
Bullying occurs over time and involves an imbalance of power.
Bullying is one of the most underrated and serious problems in schools today.
By talking about bullying, you
let your kids know you take it
seriously and want to be part of the solution.
• Verbal bullying--what is so benignly called teasing--is so common that even many adults consider it to be a natural part of growing up. Yet this form of emotional abuse is a major contributor to school violence.
• Bullying is most intense during the upper elementary and middle school years
• Most bullying occurs in or around school buildings
• Both targets and children who bully suffer significant emotional, behavioral, and underachievement problems
• 22% of fourth through eighth graders report academic problems due to bullying
• The National Association of School Psychologists and the U.S. Department of Justice estimate that 160,000 students miss school every day because they are in fear of being bullied
• Boys are more likely to bully physically, and girls are more likely to use taunts and spread rumors
• There is little, if any, difference between bullying in suburban, rural, or inner city schools
• 14% of students experience severe reactions to bullying that may have lifelong psychiatric consequences
• By age 24, 60% of children who bully will have had a criminal conviction
• In June, 2002, the American Medical Association adopted an anti-bullying measure urging doctors to help change attitudes that tolerate bullying and push for federal research into prevention programs. The policy lists symptoms that doctors and parents should watch for, including increased school absences, frequent crying, low self-esteem, lack of empathy and unexplained bouts of rage or sullenness. Physical symptoms may include recurrent sleep problems, bed-wetting or headaches.
• Possibly the best way to reduce school violence is to effectively reduce or stop bullying in schools.
