The Voice of Southwest Louisiana July 2018 Issue

• Mental or scholastic disabilities
• Speech quality or tone
• Sexual orientation or gender identity
• Moral or religious beliefs
Effects of Bullying Upon Children
Bullying has negative effects upon the
bullied and the bully:
• Students who experience bullying
are at increased risk for poor school
adjustment, sleep difficulties, anxiety,
poor health and depression;
• Students who engage in bullying
behaviors are at risk for academic
problems, substance abuse, and
violent behavior later in adolescence
and adulthood.
• Youth who believe that being
bullied is justified, because they
are “different,” are more likely to
face negative outcomes such as
depression, suicide ideation, and
prolonged victimization.
• Bullying has been suggested as a
single factor in child/adolescent
suicide or increased school violence.
While it is certainly a contributing
factor, experts caution against
making a direct link. In more than
50% of all instances of suicide/school
violence, an underlying mental health
issue pre-dated the suicidal/violent
event. Those extreme behaviors are
irrational acts of desperation that
most often occur as a culmination
of a long term internal struggle
with mental illness, depression, and
isolation.
PREVENTION
Bullying amongst children is a serious
problem that is far too often written
off as a rite of passage, or as “kids
being kids.” Studies have shown that
bullying occurs on the playground as
often as every seven minutes. In the
classroom, a child is bullied every twentyfive
minutes. Even the Internet has
turned into an instrument of aggression
in the form of cyberbullying, which can
take place at any time, day or night.
Whether it occurs on the playground,
in the classroom, or online, bullying can
become so severe that some children
may avoid going to school out of fear or
embarrassment. Parents who understand
bullying and the effect that it has on
kids can make strides to prevent it from
occurring. Parents should be the primary
focus for both prevention and correction
of bullying behavior, with school based
anti-bullying programs supportive of
parental values.
One way that parents can prevent
bullying is by teaching their children
not to be bullies. Parents should lead by
example and treat others with respect.
Creating a positive home environment
is also critical and can help children feel
happier with a more positive self-image.
Any mean-spirited behavior should be
addressed immediately, and the parents
should explain how negative actions
and words can be hurtful to others.
Additionally, kids should be made aware
of the potential legal consequences of
certain behavior.
Parents can help prevent their children
from falling victim to bullies by
helping them feel more confident and
boosting their self-esteem. Establishing
regular, open communication will also
make children feel more comfortable
about approaching their parents when
the bullying first starts. Early intervention
is critical and can put an end to it before
lasting damage occurs.
Encouraging the school to establish
an anti-bullying program is another
step in the right direction. Programs
should teach kids not to bully, and should
also explain what to do if they witness
another kid bullied. Intervention from
parents, schools and other children are
all instrumental at putting an end to the
dangerous actions of bullies.
In designing anti-bullying programs,
the school’s primary focus should
be upon the high value of each
individual student, regardless of his
or her differences. By focusing antibullying
programs on the topic of general
respectfulness, the school includes all
target characteristics of bullying, and
avoids the pitfalls of calling undue
attention to a particular group or perhaps
venturing into controversial teachings. It
is the school’s legitimate role to provide
a safe environment for respectful selfexpression
for all students.
• Bullied youth report that school
strategies encouraging increased
acceptance, and support made a
significant difference in their school
experience.
• Bullied youth note that the most
helpful thing a school can do is listen
and advocate on their behalf to stop
the bullying.
• Bullied youth also report that
bystander intervention and public
support from peers was the most
significant factor in decreasing the
instances of bullying.
Below are several links with additional
supportive information on school
bullying:
Stop Bullying .gov
https://www.stopbullying.gov/
Facts About School Bullies and Bullying
Behaviors - Bullying Statistics
www.bullyingstatistics.org/content/
school-bullying.html
Bullying in Schools - Center for Problem-
Oriented Policing
www.popcenter.org/problems/bullying/
While students have the right to hold
differing opinions or convictions, they
must treat one another with equal
respect. For all individuals, bullying is
never an acceptable behavior.
Carra Sergeant, PhD, LPC
PEACE FROM PIECES COUNSELING SERVICES
For an appointment, call
337-515-6716
Volume 5 • Number 12 WWW.THEVOICEOFSOUTHWESTLA.COM July 2018 21