Bullying

By

Gladys Ozoa Rubio

Negros Oriental State University

Bullying is unwanted, aggressive behavior among school aged children that

involves a real or perceived power imbalance. The behavior is repeated, or has the
potential to be repeated, over time. Both kids who are bullied and who bully others may
have serious, lasting problems (United States Department of Health and Human Services,
2018). The World Health Organization defines bullying as a threat or physical use of
force, aiming at the individual, another person, a specific community or group which can
result in injury, death, physical damage, some development disorders or deficiency. The
concept of bullying at school is not new; however it has been increasing in recent years.
There is a crucial increase in studies conducted and the number of news on bullying at
school in mass media. Bullying in schools is an issue that continues to receive attention
from researchers, educators, parents, and students. Despite the common assumption that
bullying is a normal part of childhood and encompasses minor teasing and harassment ,
researchers increasingly find that bullying is a problem that can be detrimental to
students' well-being (

The said article provided comprehensive explanations of bullying. For it to be

considered bullying, the behavior must be aggressive and include:

1. An Imbalance of Power: Kids who bully use their power—such as physical

strength, access to embarrassing information, or popularity—to control or harm
others. Power imbalances can change over time and in different situations, even if
they involve the same people.
2. Repetition: Bullying behaviors happen more than once or have the potential to
happen more than once.

Bullying includes actions such as making threats, spreading rumors, attacking

someone physically or verbally, and excluding someone from a group on purpose.

According to stopbullyingnow.hrsa.gov, bullying is very common during the

elementary and middle school years. In one study of fourth through sixth graders, 25
percent of students admitted to bullying another student several times or more often
during the school term (Melton et al., 1998 as cited in stop bullyingnow.hrsa.gov).
Another study found that 80 percent of middle school students reported engaging in some
form of bullying during the past 30 days, with 15 percent doing so frequently (Bosworth
et al., 1999 as cited in stopbullyingnow.hrsa.gov). In a national study of more than 15,000
students in grades 6 through 10, 17 percent reported having been bullied “sometimes” or
more often during the school term and 19 percent reported bullying others “sometimes”
or more often (Nansel et al., 2001as cited in stopbullyingnow.hrsa.gov).
Healy (2015), University of Queensland posited that based on a survey, data revealed that
twice as many parents of public school students reported their children had been bullied
compared to private school parents. Rawlings (2015), from University of Sydney added
that about 80% of students experience some kind of gender-based bullying in their
primary and high school years. But research shows that teachers often fail to intervene or
are not equipped to deal with it. All these were seemed to be true. Why? Teachers
perhaps do not have the idea that bullying has been happening in schools or in the
classrooms, however, concerned teachers did not mind or bother to ask the students if the
same scenario has been happening. This is now the occasion that parents must stand firm
on things that affect the well being or their wards.

United States Department of Health and Human Services (2018) moreover enumerated
some types of bullying, to wit:

1. Verbal bullying is saying or writing mean things. Verbal bullying includes:

o Teasing
o Name-calling
o Inappropriate sexual comments
o Taunting
o Threatening to cause harm

2. Social bullying, sometimes referred to as relational bullying, involves hurting

someone’s reputation or relationships. Social bullying includes:
a. Leaving someone out on purpose
b. Telling other children not to be friends with someone
c. Spreading rumors about someone
d. Embarrassing someone in public
3. Physical bullying involves hurting a person’s body or possessions. Physical
bullying includes:
a. Hitting/kicking/pinching
b. Spitting
c. Tripping/pushing
d. Taking or breaking someone’s things
e. Making mean or rude hand gestures

On the same note, wikepedia.org enumerated some factors that may contribute to a
bullying environment. These are the few according to wikepedia.org. Bullies might make
fun of others for many things, including:

1. appearance (how someone looks)

2. behavior (how someone acts)
3. race or religion
4. social status (whether someone is popular)
 5. sexual identity (like being gay, lesbian, or transgender)

Bullying can come in different types:

1. Physical bullying is when bullies hurt their targets physically. This might be
shoving, tripping, punching, or hitting. Any form of touching that a person does
not want can be bullying and possible sexual assault.
2. Verbal bullying is taunting or teasing someone.
3. Psychological bullying is gossiping about or excluding people to make them feel
bad about themselves.
4. Cyberbullying is when bullies use the internet and social media and say things
that they might not say in person. This can include sending mean texts, posting
insults about someone on Twitter, or making rude comments on their Instagram
pictures. Cyberbullies also might post personal information, pictures, or videos
designed to hurt or embarrass someone else.

Mac Vean (2013) also noted and posited “Don’t ignore sibling bullying. Equally
important, he said, siblings who get bullied could have long-lasting issues. Again, this is
another testament of how important the role of parents in eradicating and or minimizing
bullying, be it in home or in any place. Just like schools, teachers have a very sound
responsibility in terms of addressing such problems that also affects the children. They
are the second parents, similarly that schools are considered as the second home.

Mac Vean (2013) added that Parents, doctors and schools should not dismiss sibling
bullying. Sibling aggression can be as damaging as other sorts of bullying, and it can be
linked to poorer mental health, according to a study published this week in the (journal
Pediatrics as cited in Mac Vean, 2013).

Studies show that bullies lack prosocial behavior, are untroubled by anxiety, and do
not understand others' feelings. They misread the intentions of others, often imputing
hostility in neutral situations. They typically see themselves quite positively. Those who
chronically bully have strained relationships with parents and peers. Bullies couldn't exist
without victims, and they don't pick on just anyone; those singled out lack assertiveness
even in nonthreatening situations and radiate fear long before they ever encounter a bully.
Increasingly, children are growing up without the kinds of play experiences in which
children develop social skills and learn how to solve social problems. (Child
Development, https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/basics/bullying).

According to study, bullying can happen anywhere—cities, suburbs, or rural towns.

Depending on the environment, some groups—such as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender
or questioning (LGBTQ) youth, youth with disabilities, and socially isolated youth—may
be at an increased risk of being bullied( https://www.stopbullying.gov/at-risk/index.html).
The same information also claimed that children at risk of being bullied have one or more
of the following risk factors:
 1. Are perceived as different from their peers, such as being overweight or
underweight, wearing glasses or different clothing, being new to a school, or
being unable to afford what kids consider “cool”
2. Are perceived as weak or unable to defend themselves
3. Are depressed, anxious, or have low self esteem
4. Are less popular than others and have few friends
5. Do not get along well with others, seen as annoying or provoking, or antagonize
others for attention

There are two types of kids who are more likely to bully others:

1. Some are well-connected to their peers, have social power, are overly concerned
about their popularity, and like to dominate or be in charge of others.
2. Others are more isolated from their peers and may be depressed or anxious, have
low self esteem, be less involved in school, be easily pressured by peers, or not
identify with the emotions or feelings of others.

Additionally, children who have these factors are also more likely to bully others;

1. Are aggressive or easily frustrated

2. Have less parental involvement or having issues at home
3. Think badly of others
4. Have difficulty following rules
5. View violence in a positive way
6. Have friends who bully others

Given the information above, Galvin (2019) gave a very satisfying thing that anyone can
do to help prevent bullying or address the same. The following information enumerated
below would be a very big help to us in helping bullying stop in any environment.

1.Tell a trusted adult. Adults in positions of authority, like parents, teachers, or coaches,
often can deal with bullying without the bully ever learning how they found out about it.

2.Ignore the bully and walk away. Bullies like getting a reaction. If you walk away or
ignore them, you're telling them that you don't care.

3.Walk tall and hold your head high. Using this type of body language sends a message
that you're not vulnerable.

4.Don't get physical. You're more likely to be hurt and get into trouble if you try to fight a
bully. Work out your anger in another way, such as exercising or writing it down (make
sure you delete or tear up any emails, posts, letters, or notes you write in anger).

5.Try to talk to the bully. Try to point out that his or her behavior is serious and harmful.
This can work well if you notice that a member of your own group has started to pick on
or shun another member.
6.Practice confidence. Practice ways to respond to the bully verbally or through your
behavior. Practice feeling good about yourself (even if you have to fake it at first).

7.Talk about it. It may help to talk to a guidance counselor, teacher, or friend — anyone
who can give you the support you need. Talking can be a good outlet for the fears and
frustrations that can build when you're being bullied.

8.Find your (true) friends. If you've been bullied with rumors or gossip, tell your friends
so that they can help you feel safe and secure. Avoid being alone, especially when the
bullying is happening a lot.

9.Stand up for friends and others you see being bullied. Your actions help the victim feel
supported and may stop the bullying.

10.Join your school's bullying or violence prevention programs. Peer mediation is another
way you may be able to work things out with a bully. If your school doesn't have these
programs, start one of your own.

Conclusion: The problem regarding bullying is not new to us. Such scenario maybe
happening decades ago, however, people those days do not know that bullying has
already been existing or maybe people and or students were too strong physical,
mentally, emotionally and spiritually, These perhaps hep them stand against those who
bully them. As of the present time, bullying needs a a multidisciplinary approach in order
to constructively address the problem. We all know that if permitted or ignored, affected
students will experience trauma, either emotional or mental aspects. The need to
involved affected children, their parents, school personnel and all workforce, media
practitioner, governmental and non-govermental organizations, and even our security
personnel in schools needs to have a strong stand and participation in this regard if we
want to attain a sound and effective approach for the prevention of violence that affects
adversely our students.
References

Buchar, Maedica (2013). Bullying among High School Student

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3865123/

Bullying. Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

EDITORIAL: Bullying must be taken seriously (2017).

https://www.valdostadailytimes.com/opinion/editorials/editorial-bullying-must-be-
taken-seriously/article_839c7f09-a7e6-572a-9612-fb7b83eaaea2.html

Healy, Karyn (2015). Is your child less likely to be bullied in a private school?The
University of Queensland.Bullying in Schools.
https://theconversation.com/au/topics/bullying-in-schools-11262

https://www.stopbullying.gov/at-risk/index.html

Mac Vean, Mary (2013). Don't ignore sibling bullying

http://articles.latimes.com/2013/jun/19/news/la-sn-sibling-bullying-20130618

Rawlings, Victoria (2015). Bullying linked to gender and sexuality often goes unchecked
in schools. University of Sydney. Bullying in Schools.
https://theconversation.com/au/topics/bullying-in-schools-11262

Stop Bullying Now, Take a Stand. Lend a Hand. www.stopbullyingnow.hrsa.gov

What is Bullying? Assertiveness, Child Development

https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/basics/bullying