Abstract

In this brochure, I will explore the topic of bullying that is occurring in schools. Bullying is an issue that has been happening in schools for a very long time and in todays day in age has become more prominent in all grade levels. In addition, to help solve this problem schools are implementing various programs to help reduce bullying. From individual programs to school wide programs, schools are determined to control this problem. The most commonly accepted definition of bullying, various forms of bullying, and resources for teachers about bullying are emphasized throughout the brochure.

Bullying 101
What new teachers should be aware of before going into the classroom.

Definition
A universal definition for bullying has not been established. However, there is a widespread agreement that bullying is a combination of repeated exposure of an individual to negative interactions directly or indirectly inflicted by one or more dominant persons. The harm may be caused through direct physical or psychological means and/or indirectly through encouragement of the process or avoidance by the bystander. (1) Although there might be some people who may disagree with one or more things or may want to add something to this definition, bullying consists of an oppressor and a victim.

Griselda Resendiz Educ 555 Character Education Dr. De Roche September 31, 2012

Statistics on bullying History

Although bullying has become more evident in school environments lately, bullying has been happening for years. Moreover, different anti-bullying programs have been implemented by schools in various countries. The following are some of the main occurrings regarding bullying. (According to the xtimeline) o 1838Frst use of bullying in literary work o 1897 First characterizing of bullying behaviors o 1970Swedish researcher Dan Olweus conducted the first study of bullying occurring among youth. o 1993Dan Olweus published Bullying at School: What We Know and What We Can Do o o o o o o o o o 2000Cyber bullying 20012001 Statistic on bullying 2002School shooting statistics 200518 US states had adopted formal bullying legislation (3) 2008Cyber bully law passed 2009Megans Law proposed 2011Bully Prevention conference 2012National Day of Action Against Bullying and Violence The largest national study in the United States to date found that that 29.9% of students in grades 6 through 10 reported moderate or frequent involvement in bullying (3) Investigations by the Secret Service revealed that in two-thirds of the high- profile cases of school shootings, the perpetrators had been chronic victims of bullying, and revenge was a prominent motivation (3) In about 85 percent of bullying cases, no intervention or effort is made by a teacher or administration member of the school to stop the bullying from taking place (7) About 80 percent of all high school students have encountered being bullied in some fashion online. About 35 percent of teens have been actually threatened online. (7) About half of all teens admit they have said something mean or hurtful to another teen online. Most have done it more than once. (7)

Who takes part in bullying?

Bullying is the most common form of violence that occurs in schools. Although studies have shown that about half of children were bullies and over half were victims (4) all children are involved in bullying somehow. For instance, there are those who can be considered the assistants. They are the ones who help the bully complete the bullying actions. There are also the reinforces. These are the ones who verbally support the bully. They encourage the bully with words. Lastly there are the onlookers. These are the ones who are witnesses to the bullying happening but do not say anything about it. Bullying is a serious issue in schools and it happens in the presence of peers, faculty, staff, and administration.

Different forms of bullying

Bullying in general can be described in many different ways; it can be a combination of teasing, pushing, name calling, etc. However, it can be sorted into categories to better help identify it in school. The categories are indirect, direct, and relational bullying. Also, with the new technological advances and increase in the usage of social networks, a new category has been createdcyber bullying. Indirect Bullying: typically involves covert activities intended to isolate and marginalized victims (2) o EX: spreading rumors and excluding individuals from peer groups (2)

Direct Bullying: involves physical and verbal attacks on victims direct o EX: pushing, name calling in the lunch line, threatening someone, kicking, etc

Relational Bullying:It is a hidden type of aggression ( or hostile behavior) where peers harm other through purposeful manipulation and damaging of their peer relationship. (3) o Ex: Silent treatment, exclusions from the group, spreading rumors and gossip, taunting Cyber Bullying: involves the use of information and communication technologies such as e-mail, cell phone and pager text messages, instant messaging, defamatory personal Web sites, and defamatory online personal polling Web sites, to support deliberate, repeated, and hostile behavior by an individual or group, that is intended to harm others (3)

How to recognize bullying?

From the definition and different forms of bullying provided, detecting bullying goes beyond seeing a child call one of his peers names or pushing and shoving. As a teacher, staff, and administrator one must be alert of the students behavior with one another. (according to stop bully) Bullies Are often attention seekers. Will establish their power base by testing the response of the less powerful members of the group, watching how they react when small things happen. Find out how the teacher reacts to minor transgressions of the rules and wait to see if the victim will complain. It is important that teachers are vigilant and consistent. Bully because they believe they are popular and have the support of the others. Keep bullying because they incorrectly think the behavior is exciting and makes them popular. If there are no consequences to the bad behavior; if the victim does not complain and if the peer group silently or even actively colludes, the bully will continue with the behavior.

Victims Often have poor social skills. Lack the confidence to seek help. Dont have the support of the teacher or classmates who find them unappealing. Blame themselves and believe it is their own fault. Are desperate to fit in. View is very often reinforced by the attitude of adults in their lives. It is highly unlikely that they will seek help.

Abuse alcohol, drugs, or other illegal substances Abusive towards their loved one o Spouse, partner, children

Effects of Bullying
Research on the effects of being a bully or victim as a child is limited. However, there are strong signs that being either a bully or victim has strong implications in their health and adult lives. (according to no bully.org) For bullies: Susceptible to future problems of violence and delinquency Depression Show long term effects on their personal relationships and mental health

For victims: Same suicidal ideation rate as a victim groups Abuse alcohol, drugs, or other illegal substances Display anxiety, depression, diminished self-esteem, and social withdrawal Low self esteem and confidence Academic grades start to drop---sometimes leading into dropping out of school Some retaliate with violent behavior; o In 12 of 15 school shooting cases in the 1990s, the shooters had a history of being bullied. (11) For assistants, reinforces, and onlookers: Miss or skip school on purpose Depression, anxiety Increase in usage of alcohol, smoking, or drugs

Is a bully a victim too?

Many times when one thinks of the victim we do not consider the bully being one as well. In several cases, a bully is reacting in a violent way towards their peers because he himself is going through a tough situation. For example, studies have shown that some bullies live in physically and emotionally abusive homes. Thus, when they come to school, they act the same way they are being treats at home. This mechanism works to hide the reality that they are living at home. In other cases, a student might not have anyone of a positive influence in their life. For instance, their parents might be alcoholics, gangsters, on probation, or depressed; parents or guardians as such do not provide the best role model to their student. On a different note, a student may rely on bullying to distract from the fact that they are having trouble learning in school. By having the focus be on their behavior the teachers then will not focus on the real problem, their academics. Therefore, when pointing fingers at a bully one must first take a moment and consider the fact that he might be a victim of something as well.

What can you do as a teacher?

The most significant thing a teacher can do is to talk to their students about bullying. Having an in depth conversation with the students will allow for them to see that is a serious and important issue. In particular, conversations about bullying at a younger age will begin to implement the notion in the childs mind that bullying is wrong and hurtful. Thus, hopefully preventing them from performing bullying acts of their own in the future. It is essential to note that in having this conversation with the students one must continue to keep the lines of communication open (9). For example, asking the students about concerns, checking in with them, and knowing their interests will allow for the students to trust the teacher. Most importantly, as a teacher we have a big influence on our students everyday, thus, we must be able to model positive behavior so that our students can be good people when they step out of the classroom.

o http://www.stopbullying.gov/kids/webisodes/ind ex.html On this website you can find fun short cartoon clips on bullying. At the end of each video there is a small quiz you and your students can take to see how much you know about bullying o http://www.pacer.org/bullying/video/ From music videos to cartoon clips, you will find a variety of videos dealing with bullying Lessons o http://teachers.net/lessons/posts/4333.html Here you will find a lesson you can do with your classroom to discuss bullying o http://www.pacer.org/bullying/resources/activiti es/ There are different activities one can do with ones students Books o Taking the Bully by the Horns byJay Carter and Kathy Noll

The following is a list of things teachers can do in the classroom to help students understand bullying. Talk about how to stand up to others Talk about strategies for staying safe, such as staying near adults or groups of other kids Encourage students to find an adult they trust on campus incase they encounter or see a problem related to bullying Discuss what bullying is Read articles, books, watch videos, etc about bullying If possible, share your own experience about bullying Have the school counselor come in to talk about bullying and the resources provided by the school

Resources for Teachers

Videos

o No Kidding About Bullying by Naomi Drew

o The Bully, The Bullied, and the Bystander by Barbara Coloroso

Hotlines o National Suicide Prevention Lifeline 1-800-273-TALK (8255) The toll-free call goes to the nearest crisis center in our national network. These centers provide 24-hour crisis counseling and mental health referrals. o Prevention and Treatment for Child abuse 1-800-4CHILD

Works Cited 1. BMJ: British Medical HOurnal, Vol. 319, No. 7206 (August 7, 1999), pp. 348-351 2. Canadian Hournal of Education Vol. 28, No. 4 (2005), pp. 739-762 3. The Elementary School Hournal, Vol. 108, No. 5 (May 2008), pp 362-375 4. American Educational Research journal, Vol. 38, No2 (summer, 2001), pp 351-370 5. Crime Justice Vol. 17(1993) pp. 381-458 6. http://www.xtimeline.com/timeline/History-ofBullying-in Schoolshttp://foreverfamilies .byu.edu/Article.aspx?a=124 7. http://www.bullyingstatistics.org/content/schoolbullying-statistics.html 8. http://www.nobully.org.nz/guidelines.htm 9. http://www.stopbullying.gov/at-risk/effects/index.html

Conclusion
Bullying is an issue that is becoming of more and more interest to schools and they are taking it very seriously. From school wide, classroom, and individual anti-bullying programs, school are trying everything to help reduce the number of bullying incidents happening. However, in order for the programs to work, teachers need to be committed to doing everything in their hands to make the program work. Bullying is a significant problem that affects all students, not just the bully and the victim.