“Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me.” We have all heard this, though many would debate whether it’s actually true. Words can hurt and they can leave lasting scars. Once things are said they cannot be taken back. 

Bullying happens everywhere, especially in school. Trusting that it is a safe place for your child, you may miss little signs that something’s off at first, it isn’t uncommon. These experiences can potentially create fear and avoidance behaviors for your child, and rightfully so! Bullying is disturbing, whether your child is being bullied or is behaving as one. This can leave you wondering where to turn for help. 

Bullying 101

Good Therapy defines bullying as “… an attempt, usually a systematic and ongoing one, to undermine and harm someone based on some perceived weakness.” It is often planned and methodical, not only using intimidation but also fear. Experts say that “for the behavior to be considered bullying, it must be aggressive and include an intentional act to hurt or harm someone, an imbalance of power, and repetition.”

Bullying is not new, however, nowadays bullying also involves the use of technology and social media. This “new frontier” has opened up whole new avenues to bully. A good example of this is spreading false and malicious rumors through texting or social media. Enter, cyberbullying. 

Bullying Facts

• It is pervasive. You may not believe it, but the number of American children experiencing bullying is astounding at 3.2 million. According to the Center for Parenting Education “75% – 90% of students experience harassment at the hands of fellow students at some point and 15% of students are severely traumatized by peer abuse.”
• School is the place where bullying usually happens. This is a reality that many studies reveal. 
• Every child is a potential target for bullies. Your child could be the smartest or most popular student on the campus, but that will not spare them from bullying. There is only one de facto reason why this continues to flourish to this day. Children are bullied because someone decided to hurt them. It is wrong to think that kids are being bullied because they are “bully material.” This type of thinking puts the blame on the victim and not on the bully.
• Bullying knows no gender; it can affect anyone. Boys, however, tend to be more physically aggressive, while the girls tend to be associated with more indirect forms of bullying – spreading gossip, verbal abuse, and social manipulation. 
• Bullies come in lots of forms. Anyone can be a bully.
• Age is not a factor. Bullying is usually associated with adolescence or childhood, the development phase when one can be most vulnerable. The truth is it can happen earlier and even into adulthood.
• Bullying can have serious emotional effects. Bullying may not only affect your child’s physical health, but their emotional health as well. Feeling like no one cares, bullying victims can become more susceptible to low self-esteem. They may feel isolated and scared. It’s no wonder that a lot of youths would rather skip school to avoid their bullies. Bullying may also increase the risk of depression. 
• Victims usually keep it to themselves. Children and adolescents who are being bullied usually don’t report bullies because they are afraid that it can become worse for them. 

Making a Difference with Counseling

Bullying isn’t a small concern. It affects significant numbers of children and adults alike worldwide. It can have harmful effects on many different areas of your child’s life. 

Despite global efforts in battling bullying, it still remains a problem. If your child is being bullied, don’t wait for things to get worse. Counseling can help address the effects of bullying and help your child come out stronger on the other side. 

Carolina Counseling Services – Fayetteville, NC contracts with therapists who can help. Call today to schedule your first appointment.

Related Articles:

• Children Problems at School