Bullying Information

How common is bullying? Estimates vary, but as many as 30% of students in grades 6-10 are involved in bullying. About 11% are the target of bullies; approximately 13% bully other students; and another 6% both bully others and are bullied (National Youth Violence Prevention, 2006).

Who gets bullied? Anyone who is different, particularly because of race, religion, ethnicity, disability, physical characteristics, or perceived sexual orientation, is more likely to be bullied (Kim, 2004).

Who bullies? Unlike most educators might predict, bullies tend to have high self-esteem. They are often physically larger than their peers and tend to be aggressive, are easily angered, have strong needs to dominate, lack empathy for the targets of their bullying, and have little or no remorse regarding their actions. They tend to get in trouble often. Bullies often have “uninvolved” parents (National Youth Violence Prevention, 2006).

What are the consequences of bullying? Bullying victims are more likely to be depressed and have suicidal thoughts. They are also more likely to drop out of school. Even as adults, they tend to have lower self-esteem and a higher incidence of depression (Kim, 2004).  Nearly 60% of those classified as “chronic bullies” have been convicted of at least one crime by age 24 (Kim, 2004). Harassment and bullying have been linked to about 75% of school shootings (Crawford, 2002).

What can be done to prevent bullying? There are no easy solutions, but the following ideas are a start:

1) Establish a school-wide bullying prevention program that raises awareness, improves school climate, and provides training for both school personnel and students. Such an approach can reduce bullying by 50% (Crawford, 2002).

2) Be an “ally.” Teachers and other school personnel need to not only be aware of bullying behaviors, but intervene appropriately to prevent them.

3) Teach students to respond appropriately when they are bullied and to be “allies” when they witness someone else being bullied (Kim, 2004).

4) Establish a “classroom agreement” that creates a safe environment and mutual respect (Kim, 2004).

References:

Crawford, N. (2002). New ways to stop bullying (Electronic Version). Monitor on Psychology, 33,  64-66.

Kim, B. (2004). Let’s get real curriculum guide. San Francisco: Women’s Educational Media.
 

National Youth Violence Prevention (2006). Teen facts – Bullying. Retrieved November 28, 2006 from http://www.safeyouth.org/scripts/teens/bullying.asp.