Emotion is a part of the word “bullying.” Many people associate bullying with negative childhood memories. Around 40% of people, it is thought, have been bullied at some point in their lives.
For parents, the ghosts of the past are never far away and can sometimes affect how we respond to current events, such as when our own children encounter difficulties in their relationships at school or outside of it.
The insidious act of bullying violates children’s inherent right to feel safe and secure. It may have a negative impact on their learning, emotional well-being, future relationships with other students, and sense of self. Physical and emotional abuse, intimidation, harassment, and exclusion are all examples of bullying.
It now has a cyber-dimension that has received a lot of press, which has changed the game plan for many kids. In the past, children could stay at home and avoid bullying behaviors they might have encountered. Nowadays, cyberbullying means that kids can’t run away from the bully like they used to.
Teasing, rejection, random acts of violence, physicality, and conflict should not be confused with bullying. It is important to distinguish between bullying and the bickering and fighting that children frequently engage in.
Boys bully just as much as girls do, but girls bully less physically. Girls are more likely to use exclusion or verbal sarcasm to assert themselves, whereas boys use physical intimidation or verbal abuse to wield power.
What exactly is bullying?
Because one person is powerless to stop the teasing or physical abuse, bullying is about powerlessness. The selective, uninvited, and persistent oppression of a single person by another individual or group is known as bullying. Adults who live in their world should not practice it or tolerate it.
If you think your daughter is being bullied, treat her with caution because many girls don’t want to admit they are being bullied. Because some girls keep their feelings to themselves, it’s helpful to be on the lookout for warning signs like: items being stolen, the route taken to school being altered, and withdrawing from routine activities.
If your child is the target of bullying:
Maintain calm: This is so difficult because your feelings can easily turn violent. However, if you want your daughter to be able to talk to you and feel safe, you need to remain neutral.
Take in her account: Bullied kids need someone to believe their stories. Be serious about them and don’t dismiss complaints as clues. Make the distinction between bullying and more erratic, non-selective antisocial behaviors with common sense. Even though girls can be mean to one another, this does not constitute bullying.
Handle their emotions: Most likely, a child who is bullied feels scared, angry, and sad. Girls are more likely to act when they are sad and depressed, whereas boys are more likely to act out and show anger. Validate and acknowledge their feelings. Sadness, fear, or just plain confusion are all normal emotions.
Learn the truth: Before any bullying occurs, get a clear picture of what takes place, including who is involved and the frequency. By asking pertinent questions, you can get your daughter to be as specific as possible. You can make better decisions about your next move with a clear picture.
Give them tools for coping: Once you have a clear picture, you can start teaching your child ways to deal with bullying, such as using strategies to avoid it, being more assertive, and changing body language.
Get involved with the school: When parents and teachers are involved, bullying can be handled better. I’ve heard from some parents that schools might be reluctant to get involved. My experience shows that schools take bullying very seriously, support and empower those who are bullied, and look for ways to change bullies’ behavior. Be willing to adhere to these guidelines, be aware of your school’s anti-bullying policies and procedures, and approach your school through the appropriate channels.
Support your daughter’s social networks: Look for practical ways to increase the number of friends your daughter has because she will need a group of friends to support her and protect her from further social exclusion.
Enhance her self-assurance: Bullying is the worst thing that can happen to a girl’s self-confidence, so show your daughter a lot of love and support. Through your words and actions, reassure her that she will survive this trying time in her life.
It’s important to keep in mind that kids who are bullied in some way often come out stronger and more resourceful because they’ve been through challenges and know they can overcome them.
