Bullying in School Systems

1. Bullying in School Systems Presented by: Chris Mitchell Chris Gudejko Kristy Maguire Brett Currier

2. Definition of Bullying An aggressive, repeated act or behavior in order to intentionally hurt or put a child at risk for injury. -harmful to health -threatening, degrading, humiliating, & intimidating -can be done as an act of sabotage -bullying is done to gain power over another person

3. Types of bullying • There are four basic types of bullying that occur most often: • Physical: hitting, kicking, shoving, and spitting • Psychological: has detrimental emotional effects on child; name calling, teasing, ignoring or leaving others out, spreading lies and false rumors that hurt another person • Verbal: including derogatory comments, hurtful things, threats, and bad names that may cause emotional distress • Cyber bullying: via cell phone or over the internet; may be unanimous *sexual and racial bullying are also types of bullying with increasing incidences • Children of all genders, socio-economic, racial, and ethnic groups are bullied

4. Victims of Bullying • According to the school bullying counsel that has been put in place, over 90% of children grades 4-8 have reported incidences of being bullied in the passed five years • It is estimated that 60-80% of students are victims of bullying at some point in their life • 23% of elementary students report being bullied on a regular basis • Not only the person being bullied is a victim.. bystanders, parents • In the UK, bullying leads to an estimated 15-25 suicides each year. • *estimated that more than half of bullying incidences in schools are never reported

5. What are the issues of Bullying? • physical abuse people are in danger • mental abuse • issues with mental growth & stability among children. • bullying can cause loneliness, depression, anxiety • low self-esteem & confidence levels • decreased academic performance • increased fear in daily life that may take years to go away or never at all those being bullied and viewing the bullying

6. Why Does Bullying Happen? • Bullies are often covering up their own insecurities by demeaning other students. bullying makes them feel better about themselves • Bullies most often have been bullied, abused, neglected, mistreated at sometime in their lives they feel that if they put someone else down, they make themselves feel superior • Some children are trying to fit in with the “popular crowd” & sometimes that means having to hurt/degrade others to do so. Some children are so upset with their lives they will do anything to have friends and feel like they belong • Bystanders don’t interfere for fear of becoming the subject of bullying. • Bullying is easiest to stop in its earliest stages, continuous bullying tends to be an accepted norm in the group as time passes.

7. Bullying kept secret • Often times those that are bullied are scared to stand up for themselves and tell authoritative figures what is going on because of fear for worse to come/threats by the bully • By not telling anyone the person being bullied is put at risk for continued and worse bullying in the future • more & more kids see the bullying and think its okay because there are no consequences being given • Bystanders of bullying also fail to report the bullying because they are fearful this may lead to them being bullied

8. Functions, dysfunctions & unintended consequences Functions & dysfunctions Unintended consequences Acts of desperation by the bullied recipient such as violence towards the bully or innocent bystanders poor grades or increased absences in schooldrop out self mutilation or other irrational acts of desperation suicide • Functions in sociology have a positive effect on society.. Bullying has only a negative effect on society more people see it and think its okay more bullies, worse actions, out of control! • Dysfunctions-Power is gained over the bullied individual and the fear is instilled into the bullying recipient. -Fear of bullying can also be instilled into bystanders to prevent intervention. -Bullying recipients may drastically react to bullying with violence i.e. the “Columbine disaster”

9. Columbine Massacre • What Happened: On April 20, 1999 at 11:19 am two armed students began their attack at the schools west entrance. • 12 students dead, 1 teacher dead, & 24 injured • Both shooters committed suicide approximately 45 mins after the shooting • Both had been victims of bullying for years prior to the shooting

10. Various Viewpoints of Bullying • The bully • The recipient to the bullying • The bystanders (other students, teachers, parents, colleagues, ect.)

11. GAINS & LOSSES Gains Losses Bullying has negative effects on everyone involved the bully, the bystanders, and the ones being bullied can end up with serious debilitating psychological effects emotions, self- esteem, confidence, fear & safety Those being bullied or watching the bullying are fearful for long periods of time after the bullying Can have negative effects on parents of all parties involved they may feel responsible or have anxiety related to fear for their child while at school • Although the bully may feel that he is gaining from putting others down or causing physical harm to others, this is not the case.. • Gain a sense of power, but this is only going to lead to continued bullying with worse results

12. Social Structure

13. Social Change Tragic events such as Columbine and the Virginia Tech Shooting sparked action among other schools School’s pre-existing rules and regulations should be and recently have been more strictly enforced Any form of bullying is inappropriate behavior, and should treated as such Federal legislation on bullying has been put in place to help environments for kids to be safer Parents, teachers, law enforcements, social workers, and counselors are working to make bullying less of an issue “hot spots” or places where bullying is commonly found, I.E bathrooms, playgrounds, and hallways should have staff or supervision and children should have less time alone in these areas greater consequences should be given for any form of bullying observed (i.e missed recess, detention, suspension, calls to parents) Schools have been encouraged to create programs to help educate kids at a young age:  anti bullying programs  police officers& social workers come and have programs at schools to talk about negative effects bullying can have and consequences for their actions  counselors & mediators assigned for the children to talk to before/after bullying occurs

14. Expansion of bullying • Bullying is something that occurs daily and seems to continue growing. Our group as a whole agrees bullying is a real problem and needs to be ended. When you think about it, bullying really doesn’t benefit anyone. • The lasting effects of bullying are immediate, as well as life long lasting • A developing mind has enough to handle i.e ( growth and development, new hormones, school, sports, family, peers, and friend relationships … the added stress from peers can push some kids over his or her limit resulting in serious injuries and fatalities • Kids at a young age should be educated as to the effects that could happen  this might limit the occurrence or send message that bullying isn't something that is going to be permitted • An example should be made of those who bully. Those who bully other students need more serious interventions and consequences.. • A slap on the wrist type of punishment is not enough to get the point across • Bullies need to be stood up to so they know that the things they are doing are immoral and wrong

15. Out of control & got to go • Bullying is a serious problem that needs to be dealt with. Too many children are hurting/abusing others or hurting themselves as a result. No one should have to be scared to go to the bathroom or recess while at school, and no one should have to miss school or get behind academically because their fear is so intense. Schools are making efforts to reduce the number of children bullied, but we still feel more needs to be done before things get way out of hand!

16. Works Cited • Olweus, Dan. "What Is Bullying? Definition, Statistics & Information on Bullying." Olweus Bullying Prevention Program from Hazelden & Clemson University. Hazelden. Web. 06 Dec. 2011. <http://olweus.org/public/bullying.page>. • Trump, Ken. "Bullying, Anti-bullying Legislation, and School Safety." National School Safety and Security Services. 2009. Web. 06 Dec. 2011. <http://www.schoolsecurity.org/trends/bullying.html>. • Tyree, Lauren. “Bullying in the Schools From a Sociological Perspective.” eHow. http://www.ehow.com/info_7848158_bullying-schools-sociological-perspective.html • Letourneau Public School System. Fall River, Ma • Priebe, S & Holcomb, K. “Bullying: CONFRONT OR CONDONE.” ASBN. Edition 52. http://www.digitaleditionsonline.com/display_article.php?id=856582