Bullying in Schools

While boys typically engage in direct bullying methods,

girls who bully are more apt to utilize these more subtle indirect strategies,

such as spreading rumors and enforcing social isolation.

(Ahmad & Smith, 1994; Smith & Sharp, 1994)

Can't help wondering...why we seem so surprised when a child who has been "bullied" since birth by parents, siblings, or others who laugh and say they are only teasing as they drive the child to tears, and sometimes rage, suddenly begins to bully others who are smaller than he or she is? After all, these are the same kids we thought so "cute" when they mimicked someone who acted tough. Remember that "wanna fight" game Daddy played with the one year old because he didn't want the child to be a sissy? Remember the tough stough strut at two? Remember the early excuses when the child began practicing what he or she learned and pushed the other child down or wacked him up the side of the head with a handy truck...or doll...because "he made me mad?"

KidSource links to a Clearinghouse on Elementary and Early Childhood Education information on bullying.

Helping your child learn responsible behavior with Activities for Children, is a another booklet available. This one is from the U.S. Department of Education via KidSource.

Maybe our culture has as much to do with bullying in schools as any personality trait in the child. After all, some members of congress decided we "need" a new law "to allow school districts to use federal Safe and Drug-Free Schools funds to prevent bullying and harassment."Why not Contact your Representative and ask him/her to co-sponsor and support H.R. 3132, which would allow school districts to use federal Safe and Drug-Free Schools funds to prevent bullying and harassment.

Or check out this open discussion of political issues about children.

Take care...be aware,
Nancy Lee