October is National Anti-Bullying Month
160,000 students stay home from school nationwide each day in an attempt to avoid being bullied at school, according to the National Bullying Prevention Center.
What a sobering statistic! We hear about cases of extreme bullying in the news and even of children who have committed suicide over being bullied. But what we don't realize is how very prevalent bullying is in the daily lives of innumerable children. Almost EVERY child has been bullied at one time or another. For many kids, it's an on-going problem, devestating their daily lives.
Part of the problem is that some kids might not even realize they are bullying another. Obviously, if you're beating up, taunting or threatening someone, it's bullying, but it's even more than that. The Center defines bullying as:
- The behavior hurts or harms another person physically or emotionally. Bullying can be very overt, such as fighting, hitting or name calling, or it can be covert, such as gossiping or leaving someone out on purpose.
- It is intentional, meaning the act is done willfully, knowingly and with deliberation.
- The targets have difficulty stopping the behavior directed at them and struggle to defend themselves.
What can you do to help?
Most importantly, educate your own children as to what bullying is. Teach children compassion, empathy and caring through your own example. Model to them how to treat others appropriately. Treat them with love and compassion so they will treat others the same way. A child who isn't treated with respect at home, has a very difficult time learning to treat others with respect. Take a stand when you see a problem and teach children to do the same.
The National Bullying Prevention Center also has ways you can make a difference in your community.
If you or your child is being bullied, please visit the National Bullying Prevention Center's website for advice on dealing with it.
Comments (1)Subscribe to CommentsComment