A few days ago I told you about some things you may not know about bullying, but today I want to talk to you about other things that are also important to know about bullying. Sometimes we adults ignore some things that we must remember so that together we can stop the scourge of bullying, since this is not just for children. Adult intervention, education and active monitoring They make a difference.
Boys and girls attack differently
When it comes to bullying, boys and girls tend to bully differently. For example, bullies tend to behave like "bad Girls" and they use relational aggression and cyberbullying to control and manipulate situations. Girls also resort to insults and intimidation of other girls.
On the other hand, children tend to be more physically aggressive and fight. They also insult and use cyberbullying, but often use aggression hitting harder than female aggressors. Furthermore, boys tend to bully both boys and girls, whereas female bullies tend to bully their female peers more. Children are also impulsive, threaten and enjoy fights. Understand these differences helps detect early signs; in some cases these behaviors are associated with children with ADHD and bullying.
Victims often keep quiet
Despite the emotional pain that bullying causes and the consequences it generates, many victims of bullying do not tell anyone what is happening. The reasons for shutting up may vary from person to person, but for some tweens and teens it is because are embarrassed or confused because they don't know they can get help. Also, the reason for silence is because they think they can handle the situation on their own or perhaps the anxiety they feel.
Unfortunately, many students think that if they say something at school, no one is going to help them because of other cases that may have already happened and no one did anything. It is everyone's duty that this changes from now on. Create trusted channels and clear protocols increases the likelihood that the victim will talk; if you need practical guidance you can consult What to do if your child is bullied.
What is bullying?
Bullying is a form of school violence repeatedly directed at a specific victim, with physical, verbal, or psychological aggression. Although it may arise in school, not limited to the classroom: continues in the neighborhood, extracurricular activities or online, leading to cyberbullying.
What are the causes of bullying?
Observational learning plays a key role: Aggressive behaviors are modeled and reinforced If the environment rewards them with status or power. Cultural and social values that normalize violence and self-control deficits, frustration or impulsiveness; that is why it is essential to know how to detect child abuse from an early age.
Instrumental motives coexist (search for social benefit or group dominance) and emotional (release of tension). When the group tolerates or applauds, the bullying is perpetuated; if disapproves and cuts These behaviors tend to disappear.
Types of bullying
There are direct and indirect methods. Among the most common: physical (hitting, pushing, theft), verbal (insults, nicknames), psychological (threats, control), social or relational (rumors, exclusion), sexual (comments or behaviors of a sexual nature) and ciberbullying (harassment through devices and networks).
Roles and group dynamics
It's not just victim and aggressor. There is bullying leaders, helpers, who reinforce with laughter or approval, passive witnesses and advocates who support and sound the alarm. Some people can alternate roles, including being both a victim and an aggressor in different contexts.
What consequences does it have?
For the victim: risk of anxiety Depression, stress, isolation, low self-esteem, and academic decline; in severe cases, suicidal ideation. For the abuser: adaptation difficulties, stigmatization and disciplinary or legal consequences. Witnesses may desensitize or live in fear and guilt. The school climate is deteriorating. You can find more information about the consequences of bullying.
Signals and detection
Indicators in the victim: Unjustified absences, decreased performance, sadness, somatizations, lost objects. In the aggressor: impulsiveness, disrespect, threats. It usually occurs in “blind” zones (hallways, bathrooms, courtyards) and when changing classes. International estimates indicate that a significant percentage of students have ever suffered bullying; to identify cases at early ages, review 3 signs of bullying in elementary school.
Prevention and action
The base is the Education in values (respect, peace, inclusion) and the coordination of the entire educational community: teachers, families, students and non-teaching staff. It is essential to have protocols, leadership of the protection coordinator, supervision of spaces, teacher training and student participation. In addition, there are practical and didactic strategies, such as those that collect resources for end bullying in the classroom.
- Families: continuous communication with the center and detection of behavioral changes; it is key to know how to act when children suffer bullying.
- Faculty: activate the protocol upon suspicion, intervene with both groups and to follow.
- Student body: not to be an accomplice, to support the victim and notify adults.
What to do if you are a victim, aggressor or witness
Victim: talk to a trusted adult, avoid responding with violence, seek support and do not isolate yourself. Aggressor: ask for help learn to relate without harming, work on empathy. Witness: don't normalize the aggression; inform and offer support.
Cyberbullying
It shares the dynamics of harassment, but is aggravated by the constant diffusion and anonymity. It usually happens in messaging and social media. Measures: save evidence, block and report, inform the center and the platform.
Awareness Days
El May 2th the Day against Bullying is commemorated and, at the international level, the first Thursday of November to make violence and harassment in the educational environment visible, promoting educational and community actions.
Understanding what bullying is, why it occurs, and how it persists allows for earlier, better, and more supportive interventions. Active monitoring, empathy, and effective protocols are the combination that saves. people's wellbeing, links and educational opportunities.