A mother is suing a local school district for not protecting her special-needs son from being bullied on the school bus. The news article reports that students kicked and pushed the child, made threatening stabbing motions toward him with a pen, beat him and threw him to the floor, where he was hit in the head and shoulders. I wasn't there, but from what I have heard, this was much more than schoolyard bullying -- this was criminal. However, this sort of violence can be the result of unchecked bullying.
Adults must intervene before another school year starts and the victims of bullying suffer in silence, or we lose another child to suicide because he or she can no longer tolerate being bullied. Parents, educators, law enforcement and legislators should discuss the definition of bullying as well as the proper and effective types of intervention for both bullies and their victims.
It's important to note that teasing is different from bullying. When children tease each other, no one is emotionally, spiritually or physically hurt. All participants see it as playful and humorous. This is the normal behavior of children.
Bullying, however, involves an imbalance of power. A child bullies another child to establish dominance over him or her. The bullied child isn't having fun -- this is not mutual playfulness. These cruel and hurtful acts require consistent and immediate adult intervention. Physical violence is one step beyond bullying. When a child assaults another child, as occurred on that school bus, I must wonder why no juvenile delinquency charges were reported or filed. Hitting and physically attacking another person is illegal.
Bullying is an epidemic that can turn violent and has serious effects on those involved. Both the child who has been bullied and the bully can suffer significant, prolonged consequences. Victims may struggle with low self-esteem,depression, impaired academic performance, gastrointestinal distress, suicide and homicide. The bully suffers as well and needs help, too. Reports show that bullies suffer from conduct disorders and school delinquency. They often drop out, are unable to hold jobs and fail in personal relationships.
Bullying must never be tolerated, ignored or mistaken for playful teasing. Adults must intervene when bullies victimize other children. As a parent or concerned citizen, you can make a difference. Let your school know your concerns, and make sure that they have a strong, effective plan that is ready to be implemented before the school year begins. That way, what happened on that school bus will not happen in your community.
Adults must intervene before another school year starts and the victims of bullying suffer in silence, or we lose another child to suicide because he or she can no longer tolerate being bullied. Parents, educators, law enforcement and legislators should discuss the definition of bullying as well as the proper and effective types of intervention for both bullies and their victims.
It's important to note that teasing is different from bullying. When children tease each other, no one is emotionally, spiritually or physically hurt. All participants see it as playful and humorous. This is the normal behavior of children.
Bullying, however, involves an imbalance of power. A child bullies another child to establish dominance over him or her. The bullied child isn't having fun -- this is not mutual playfulness. These cruel and hurtful acts require consistent and immediate adult intervention. Physical violence is one step beyond bullying. When a child assaults another child, as occurred on that school bus, I must wonder why no juvenile delinquency charges were reported or filed. Hitting and physically attacking another person is illegal.
Bullying is an epidemic that can turn violent and has serious effects on those involved. Both the child who has been bullied and the bully can suffer significant, prolonged consequences. Victims may struggle with low self-esteem,depression, impaired academic performance, gastrointestinal distress, suicide and homicide. The bully suffers as well and needs help, too. Reports show that bullies suffer from conduct disorders and school delinquency. They often drop out, are unable to hold jobs and fail in personal relationships.
Bullying must never be tolerated, ignored or mistaken for playful teasing. Adults must intervene when bullies victimize other children. As a parent or concerned citizen, you can make a difference. Let your school know your concerns, and make sure that they have a strong, effective plan that is ready to be implemented before the school year begins. That way, what happened on that school bus will not happen in your community.
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