Bully and bullying are terms we may be hearing often. What do those words mean? Are people we know and see everyday bullies? Do our friends or family bully us?
The dictionary's definition of a bully is a blustering browbeating person; especially: one habitually cruel to others who are weaker. A definition of the verb to bully is to treat abusively; to affect by means of force or coercion; or to use browbeating language or behavior
Bullying is an act of misconduct. There are levels 1 and 2 of acts of misconduct. In some definitions Level 1 is taunting, teasing, name-calling, spreading rumors, threatening or obscene gestures, excluding others from a group or manipulation of friendship while Level 2 is hitting, kicking, physical harm, destruction of property, enlisting someone to assault someone for you.
7 Points of Consensus about Bullies and Bullying
Following research of numerous articles and information pertaining to “bullies” and “bullying”, authority on bulling, Dr. Ken Rigby, found seven points of consensus in this information. They are:
- Bullying has been reported as occurring in every school k-12 which has been investigated.
- Bullying can be direct or indirect and also physical, verbal, and gestural.
- There is no consistent evidence that bullying overall is increasing, however cyber bullying is an area of growing concern, especially among older students.
- Boys are bullied physically more often than girls. Girls are generally involved with indirect bullying.
- Bullying with younger children is generally more physical, while older children use more indirect and subtle forms of bullying which tend to occur more often.
- Children typically report being bullied less often as they get older, even though being victimized tends to increase when children enter secondary school.
- Being bullied at school typically has a negative effect on the physical and psychological wellbeing of children who are frequently and severely targeted.
