“I think every person has their own identity and beauty. Everyone being different is what is really beautiful. If we were all the same, it would be boring.”
~Tila Tequila~Bullying is defined by StopBullying.gov as “unwanted, aggressive behavior among school aged children that involves a real or perceived power imbalance. The behavior is repeated, or has the potential to be repeated, over time.” Bullying affects nearly 30 percent of children in grades six through.
victims of bullying have a higher rate of:
- agoraphobia, an anxiety disorder
- generalized anxiety disorder
- panic disorder
It’s not uncommon for school bullies to face abuse or other difficulties at home, and thus to be both victims and perpetrators. Often, especially in middle and high school, those who were bullied at a young age grow up to become bullies themselves.
Those who were both bullies and victims are more likely to have:
- young adult depression
- panic disorder
- agoraphobia
- suicidal thoughts or actions
Not surprisingly, those who were bullies but not victims are at risk for antisocial personality disorder, a condition that involves long-term patterns of breaking the law, violating others’ rights, and being manipulative.
Effective anti-bullying policies start at home. If you’re a parent, talk to your child about bullying, whether you suspect he or she is a victim, a bully, both, or neither. If your child is reluctant to talk about it, discuss the issue with teachers, counselors, or school administrators to combat the issue. Professional counseling and therapy may help as well. If anything, teach your child that bullying is a sign of weakness, not strength, and that it shouldn’t be tolerated.
“Isn’t it about time you fought back?”
~Penelope Douglas, Bully~
