Although this is No Name-Calling Week, we should work toward ending child and adult harassment every week of the year.
Bullies target nearly half of all children and are far more prevalent in the workplace than is typically estimated (1). The worst response to this problem is to brush it off as a life-stage or trial that will “toughen up” our children and colleagues.
In fact, the detrimental effects of such emotional and physical abuse include: low self-esteem, humiliation, helplessness, and even depression and suicide.
Even more troublesome is how modern bullying is spreading. Before, people could escape harassment when they left school and work, but thanks to easy internet access and wide-spread texting, such abuse can follow them at home, too.
If you are a parent or teacher, consider these tips:
- Refer to www.nonamecallingweek.org for lesson plans and ideas for teaching children that harassment is hurtful and unacceptable.
- Keep an eye out for signs that your children or students are being bullied: is the quality of their work greatly diminished? Are they more withdrawn? Do they fear going to school?
- If you suspect bullying, make sure they know it’s not their fault and that they may talk to you openly about it. Take it a step further and contact the school’s authorities.
- Likewise, watch for indications that your children are bullies: Do they show aggression, violence, or a need to dominate others? Do they fail to empathize with other children? If so, you need to address these problems immediately.
If you are an adult, remember these guidelines:
- Be aware that bullying is not just a school-yard problem. Bullies grow up and don’t always grow out of their abusive natures.
- Don’t participate as an audience. Stand up for your colleagues. Also, realize that malicious gossip can damage someone’s self-esteem and reputation.
- If you are being bullied, talk to a supervisor. Consider documenting the behavior in case you must take legal action.
Bullying is most often not about the victim, but the aggressor’s low self-esteem, and consequent need for power and self-aggrandizement. To end harassment, we must never underestimate its effects or fail to take action. Everyone deserves to feel safe and respected.
Tags: bullying, harassment, victim, violence
