Being bullied is serious – it causes anger, shame and isolation, making a child’s life feel like hell. Maarit Rivers tells why, and how a parent can assist.
Bullying is not generally about playground squabbles. Although a child sorts out squabbles and disagreements, a bully seeks satisfaction by causing hurt. Bullying is not, however, just aggressive. On the contrary, it seeks to maintain and build up an imbalance of power. It is rarely one-off. Aggression hence continues. A bullied child knows this. As a consequence, it lives in terror of what may come next.
Sadly, bullying is not uncommon. For instance, in Australia, one child in six is bullied at least once a week. Some adults see bullying as ‘part of growing up’. On the contrary, bullying is abnormal. Affected, are the bully, the child bullied and children who see it happening.
Being bullied is serious – its various kinds
Indirect bullying is subtle. It is thus hard to detect.
Bullying actions and words that hurt. This is the most common form. Morever, it leads to others.
Emotional and relational bullying. The bully ignores, isolates, excludes, shuns, or is silent. Action may thus include gossip, lying and spreading false rumours. Furthermore, the bully may stare; roll eyes, giggle, or laugh at and/or mock. He or she may bully the victim’s friends. This may result in their being afraid to socialise with the original victim. To read more Click here
