When you imagine bullying, you’re probably thinking about the smallest kid getting picked on by the biggest, but that couldn’t be farther from the truth. The real truth is that bullying affects just about anyone and everyone. It makes the bullied child feel alone and fearful, while the person doing the bullying is also experiencing problems of their own that make them unhappy. It can also affect those around them who witness the bullying. To better understand the entire process, here are five common myths surrounding bullying that need to be dispelled.
People Need To Stand Up To Their Bullies
Although the lgbt inpatient treatment for mental health has been on the rise, telling people to stand up to their bullies only makes the situation worse. When children talk about their bullying, it’s likely because they no longer know how to deal with the situation. They’ve tried everything and nothing has worked, so they’ve turned to someone else to help them with the problem. Asking for help in such situations should not be seen as a weakness.
Bullying Is Just A Normal Phase Of Life
Bullying should never be regarded as normal or acceptable behavior. The effects of bullying can occur long into a person’s adulthood because it tears down their self-esteem and makes a person feel less-than. That’s why it’s important for adults to intervene sooner rather than later so that the bullying stops before it causes permanent lasting damage to a person’s psyche.
“Words Can Never Hurt You”
This has already been proven with modern psychiatry and psychology. Young children take words with them wherever they go, whether it’s from their parents or their peers. They digest these words and internalize them in order to create their own picture of what other people think of them. When bullying comes into play, they are going to give more weight to those negative comments and criticisms.
Bullies Should Be Hit Back
Hitting a bully only makes the bullying worse, especially in regards to escalating the violence. The bully is often much bigger than the victim, so the risk of serious injury is incredibly high. The victim can also be reprimanded for starting a fight against their bully, which doesn’t help their self-esteem either.
Bullies Should Be Punished
Students who bully other people are usually dealing with personal problems of their own and are generally unhappy with their own lives. This isn’t to say that they shouldn’t face the consequences of their actions, but there should also be some support and remediation to correct their behaviors and find alternatives for the ways they’re feeling other than taking it out on other people.
Bullying is a serious issue that should be discussed and dealt with appropriately. It is a sensitive issue but ignoring it doesn’t help anyone. Early intervention is key to ensuring that both the victim and the bully have their issues addressed so that the overall situation is improved. If you fear your child might be being bullied at school, speak to the appropriate student body as well as a mental health professional to get them the help the support that they need.
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