All about Bullying
Bullying is when one child tries to, or actually hurts, threatens, intimidates or embarrasses another. Such behavior can cause considerable physical or emotional harm to the victim and affect the bully too. Modern lifestyles have taken bullying away from schools and play grounds, into homes and public places, through computers and cell phones too. Bullying is of various kinds such as physical, emotional, written, verbal, and surprisingly perhaps even sexual. Understanding bullying of different kinds can help us identify and put a stop to bullying.
Physical bullying takes place when there is some form of physical contact is used or threatened with. This is done to harass, threaten or embarrass another child by actually kicking, shoving or hitting or by threatening to do any of them. On occasion, monetary demands or for other possessions are made too, to add insult to injury. Boys resort to such bullying more than girls as the former are more aggressive by nature. Such bullying, allowed to take place for long, can result in serious injury, if not put a stop to at the earliest.
Girls, most commonly use verbal bullying. Calling names, spreading rumors and criticizing constantly are some ways of doing this. While there is no physical harm, the victim can be traumatized and may end up with low self-esteem, depression and lose all interest in social and sports activities. Such a development can have long lasting impact and last well into adulthood.
Written bullying uses all forms of written communications, letters, emails and text messages. Passing or mailing such messages and pictures of the past has now been replaced by modern technology. Creating a message and disseminating its content, has become much simpler and faster. Derogatory messages about and to classmates are posted on message boards for the whole world to see and the use of chat rooms and instant messaging systems for spreading rumors is also very popular.
Emotional bullying is more common among girls than with boys. Exclusion from groups, victimizing and belittling are all resorted to in varying degrees of intensity. Whenever something is done or said to hurt another’s feeling it can be considered as emotional bullying. Such bullying is no less ominous than the other forms of bullying, as the victims eventually end up as emotional wrecks usually blaming themselves and carry the burden well into their adult lives.
Sexual bullying is more prevalent among the older children. It is usually in the form of innuendo, sexual advances and display of sex organs. Such behavior can be considered as sexual harassment and victims of such bullying carry permanent scars and the perpetrators can be legally held responsible and punished.
Any child can become a bully or a victim, even the most popular and, apparently the well adjusted. All kinds of bullying are serious and should be given the importance they deserve. Understanding the different kinds of bullying can help prevent and halt bullying.