Bullying in schools is a serious and widespread problem that occurs in schools all over the world. A "bullying in schools statistic"१ shows that around 15-20% of pupils are bullied during their time at school. Bullying in elementary school is of particular concern as children at this age are especially vulnerable to the negative effects of bullying. In this blog post, you'll find a comprehensive overview of bullying in schools and some advice on what you can do as a parent to stop bullying, what types there are and how to prevent it.
Types of bullying
Bullying in schools
Can occur in various forms, both between students and from teachers to students. An example of this would be:
Pupil-pupil bullying
This is the most common form of bullying. It occurs when a student or group of students repeatedly bullies, harasses or ostracizes another student. This can include physical violence, verbal harassment, social exclusion and cyberbullying.
Teacher bullies pupils
This occurs when a teacher repeatedly bullies, harasses or treats a student unfairly. Examples of this can include excessive criticism, unfair marking, exclusion or humiliation. A specific example of bullying would be when a teacher humiliates a pupil in front of the whole class.
When is it bullying?
It is important to understand that not every negative interaction should be considered bullying. A one-off incident or an argument between two people where both sides are equally involved is not usually considered bullying. An example of bullying would be when there is an imbalance of power and the negative actions are repeated and deliberately used against the child in question.
Consequences of bullying
The consequences of bullying can be severe and have both physical and psychological effects. Short-term consequences can include anxiety, depression, low self-esteem and poor academic performance. In the long term, the consequences of bullying in schools can lead to chronic mental health problems, including suicidal thoughts and social isolation in adulthood.
Bullying at school - what can parents do?
As a parent, you may find yourself in a situation where you have to ask yourself the question: "What can you do about bullying?" It's important to be proactive about bullying in schools and prevent it before it happens. Here are some tips for parents to prevent or respond to bullying in primary and other schools:
- Education: Educate your children about bullying in schools and explain to them why it is wrong. Teach them how to treat others with respect and how to deal with conflict.
- Communication: Encourage communication with your child. Ask regularly about their day at school and listen carefully when they talk about their experiences and feelings. This makes them feel noticed and cared for, which gives them support.
- Observation: Watch out for signs of bullying. If your child suddenly no longer wants to go to school, withdraws, is in a bad mood or changes their behavior, this could be a sign of bullying. At this point, try to ask if everything is okay at school and with their classmates.
- Support: Offer your child support and encourage them to talk about their feelings. Make it clear that you are there for your child and that it is okay to ask for help.
- Cooperation with the school: If your child is being bullied, it is important to work together with the school to solve the problem. Inform the school about the problem and work together to find a solution.
In addition to the prevention tips mentioned above, parents can also:
- Be a good role model: Treat others with respect and kindness and show your child how to deal with conflict in a healthy way.
- Encourage your child to make friends: A positive social environment can reduce the risk of bullying in schools.
- Teach your child to be assertive: Assertiveness can help ward off bullying and encourage your child to seek help when needed.
- Encourage your child to be empathetic: Teach your child to understand and respect the feelings of others.
Conclusion
Bullying in schools, especially bullying in elementary school, is a serious problem with serious consequences. It is important to be proactive and take measures to prevent and intervene. With education, communication, monitoring, support and cooperation with the school, you as a parent can help reduce the risk of bullying and help your children deal with bullying situations.
Hopefully this guide will help you gain a better understanding of bullying in schools and give you concrete steps to take to support your child in a crisis situation.
Sources:
Olweus Bullying Prevention Program१
https://www.schuelerhilfe.at/unternehmen/magazin/artikel/mobbing-in-der-schule-das-koennen-sie-tun/
