Being there for your kids - Bullying Awareness, Impact and Prevention

Episode Date: March 25, 2023

Bullying is a pervasive phenomenon, particularly in schools, but also with adults in their workplace. Wearing glasses can be a trigger for being bullied. Nvision provides this article on the topic, and I'm happy to share it with you.

Hi, I'm Dr. John Robinson, and this is Teachable Moments. I want to share with you an article I received from a contact at Envision, and you can reach them at www.nVisionCentors.com. And this article is entitled Childhood Bullying, Awareness, Impact, and Prevention. Bullying often happens at school, and children who wear glasses are common targets. It can be verbal, physical, or both. It involves a power imbalance, which can be real or perceived. It also involves unwanted and aggressive behavior, repetition, and the potential to become continually repeated.

Maltreatment can negatively impact a child resulting in declining grades, lower self-esteem, social withdrawal, mental health concerns, and self-harming behaviors. educating children on the harm of bullying and when to step up and help someone can help prevent bullying. There are many resources available to help children who are experiencing bullying. Wearing glasses as a child can increase the risk of being bullied. A study shows that preteens have one-third greater risk of being bullied when they wear glasses or an eye patch. Glasses are commonly perceived by young children as not attractive, and this can make someone who wears them Target for bullying. Let's look at some percentages here.

Verbal abuse is most common. 13% of those bullied report being called names, made fun of or insulted. 12% of report having rumors spread about them. Sixth graders are the most bullied students. 31% of sixth graders report being bullied. Girls are bullied more than boys at a rate of 23% to 19%.

Race and ethnicity can also play a role. 25% of black children, 22% of Caucasian children, 17% of Hispanic, and 15% of Asian children report being bullied. Bullying can also occur online, where 10% of children bullied report being cyberbullied. Being perceived as different, which can include wearing glasses by peers, is a risk factor for bullying, as is being perceived as weak or un-easped. able to defend oneself. So how does bullying impact children? Well, bullied children are at risk for depression, anxiety, social withdrawal, and loneliness, poor self-esteem, difficulties with interpersonal interactions, self-harming behaviors, and ideations. Bullying can make a child feel isolated, unwelcome, and unlovable, which can directly impact the way that child views

themselves and lower their self-esteem and ostracizing others. are more likely to use force, aggression, and physical abuse, including pushing and shoving, tripping, spitting on others, making others do things against their will, and intentionally destroying property. So what's some of the impact of bullying on children? Well, bullying can put a child at risk for depression, anxiety, social withdrawal, and loneliness, poor self-esteem, difficulties with interpersonal interactions, and self-harming behaviors and ideations. Bullying can make a child feel isolated, unwelcome, and unlovable, which can directly impact the way the child views themselves and lower their self-esteem. This lowered self-esteem can also make them a target for being victimized and bullied again.

Nearly a quarter of people who have been bullied in school experience mental health issues later in life. Anti-bullying programs at school can decrease bullying by nearly 25%. Students should be aware of the anti-bullying policies and resources at their school, as well as how to stand up for someone being bullied. If this piece on bullying stirs questions of your own, contact me through my website at www.org, thereformykids.com, or email me at john Robinson 0.0.8 outlook.com. I'm Dr. Jonathan C. Robinson, licensed clinical psychologist and Christian author of Teachable Moments Building Blocks of Christian Parenting. Teachable Moments Building Blocks of Christian Parenting is available online at Amazonbooks.com and in local and national bookstores. More on Dr. Robinson at TMC-P-I-N-C.com.