Problems of Well-Being GNED2057

JORDYN BELL

Bullying

Bullying can lead to physical injury, social problems, emotional problems and even death.

Adolescents who are bullied are at increased risk for mental health problems, including depression, anxiety, headaches, and problems adjusting to school.

Bullying also can cause long-term damage to self-esteem. (NIH, 2012).

Effects of Bullying

Depression

Insomnia

Low Self-Esteem

Anxiety

Physical Health Issues

(No Bullying, 2014).

Children and adolescents who are bullies are at increased risk for substance use, academic problems, and violence to others later in life

Bullying causes serious harm

Children do not grow out of bullying

Bullying affects the majority of our children

We are not doing enough to protect Canadian youth

Reporting bullying is an effective way to stop the violence

Fighting back makes the bullying worse

Bullying happens wherever children gather to live, learn, or play

Bullying can occur within the family or the family home

Peers play a major role in bullying – by either escalating or stopping it

Bullying is a human rights issue – one of safety and inclusion

(Government of Canada, 2012).

Canadian Bullying Statistics • Canada has the 9th highest rate of bullying in

the 13-years-olds category on a scale of 35 countries

• At least 1 in 3 adolescent students in Canada have reported being bullied recently

• Among adult Canadians, 38% of males and 30% of females reported having experienced occasional or frequent bullying during their school years

• 47% of Canadian parents report having a child victim of bullying

• Any participation in bullying increases risk of suicidal ideas in youth

• The rate of discrimination experienced among students who identify as Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans-identified, Two-Spirited, Queer or Questioning (LGBTQ) is three times higher than heterosexual youth

Continued…

• Girls are more likely to be bullied on the Internet than boys

• 7% of adult Internet users in Canada, age 18 years and older, self-reported having been a victim of cyber-bullying at some point in their life

• The most common form of cyber-bullying involved receiving threatening or aggressive e-mails or instant messages, reported by 73% of victims

• 40% of Canadian workers experience bullying on a weekly basis

Bullying Causes Serious Harm Children who are bullied suffer more headaches, stomachaches, depression anxiety, greater risk of suicide, and are more likely to miss school, show little interest in their studies, and suffer poor grades.

More likely to use drugs, alcohol, and engage in criminal activity

60% of boys who frequently bullied others in elementary school had criminal records by age 24

Children Do Not Grow Out of Bullying

• Without intervention children who bully as a child continue to bully as they grow up

• The destructive lessons learned in childhood about the negative use of power may translate into sexual harassment in the workplace, dating violence, marital abuse, child abuse, and elder abuse

Bullying is a human rights issue – one of safety and inclusion

• This type of abuse is a violation of human rights. All children involved in bullying – those who are bullied, those who bully others, and those who know it is going on – require support to promote healthy development, positive relationships and to protect their welfare.

• Canada has signed the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child. Article 29 of the Convention states that education must be directed to:

The preparation of the child for responsible life in a free society, in the spirit of understanding, peace, tolerance, equality of the sexes, and friendship among all peoples, ethnic, national and religious groups and persons of indigenous origin.As a society, therefore, we must educate children to ensure they develop positive attitudes and behaviours and avoid using their power to bully or harass others. (PrevNet, 2015).

The UN Convention of the Rights of the Child also addresses the rights of children who are at the receiving end of bullying and harassment. Article 19 of the Convention states:Parties shall take all appropriate legislative, administrative, social and educational measures to protect the child from all forms of physical or mental violence, injury or abuse, neglect or negligent treatment, maltreatment or exploitation, including sexual abuse, while in the care of parent(s), legal guardian(s) or any other person who has the care of the child. (PrevNet, 2015).

Continued

Social Theory

The social theory that is most related to bullying and the impacts of it is symbolic interactionism. It is a sociological perspective that is influential in many areas of the sociological discipline. It is particularly important in microsociology and social psychology

 Language is an immense factor in how we communicate to each other, but we can often abuse speech and hurt people with certain uses of words. (Locke, 2012). 

Solutions to Stop Bullying

Bullying is a disrespectful peer relationship problem. It is essential to identify and help children early, both those who bully others and those who are at risk of being bullied in order to support the development of healthy relationships.

To ensure that children have healthy and productive relationships, bullying prevention programs and strategies must include and support all children, whether they are bullying, are being bullied or are witnessing bullying.

Children need to be encouraged to report bullying and be given multiple strategies on how to make these reports. Responsible adults must convey the message that they want to know about children’s experiences and that it is an adult’s job to help make the bullying stop.

Children should be encouraged to be assertive, not aggressive, and to tell a trusted adult about what has happened to them

Adults are essential for children and youth’s healthy relationships. All adults are responsible for creating positive environments, promoting healthy relationships, and ending violence in the lives of children and youth. Adults can lead social activities in ways that protect and support children’s healthy relationships and stop bullying.

Children need help understanding their social responsibility to do something when they know someone is being bullied. Adults can coach kids to collectively take a stand and step in assertively.

Video on Bullying

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2YGjz5SV_Qk

This video has examples of what could happen if you’re a bully. Think before you act or speak.

References

No Bullying. (August 24, 2014). Everyone is Responsible for Bullying Solutions. Retrieved on April 3, 2015 from http://nobullying.com/everyone-is-responsible-for-bullying-solutions/

NIH. (November 30, 2012). How Does Bullying Affect Health and Well-Being? Retrieved on April 3, 2015 from https://www.nichd.nih.gov/health/topics/bullying/conditioninfo/Pages/health.aspx

Prev Net. (2015). Facts and Solutions. Retrieved on April 3, 2015 from http://www.prevnet.ca/bullying/facts-and-solutions

Locke, K. (June 2, 2012). Sticks and Stones May Break My Bones But Words Will Never Hurt Me. Retrieved on April 3, 2015 from https://blogs.longwood.edu/katee/2012/06/02/sticks-and-stones-may-break-my-bones-but-words-will-never-hurt-me/

Government of Canada. (September 28, 2012). Canadian Bullying Statistics. Retrieved on April 3, 2015 from http://www.cihr-irsc.gc.ca/e/45838.html