The Prevalence of Bullying During Adolescence
What Parents Need to Know About Teen Bullying and its Effects
Jul 14, 2009
There was a time when all teenage bullying consisted of was a few harsh names called and a bit of a scuffle. As times have changed, and teens have gone from carefree to over-aware, bullying activities have evolved into something sinister and, at times, deadly.
What is Teen Bullying?
According to Teens Health, "Bullying is when a person is picked on over and over again by an individual or group with more power, either in terms of physical strength or social standing."
Bullying among teens could be anything from constant hurtful remarks, to physical altercations. Recently, bullying tactics have gone from hitting and shoving, to occurrences of sexual assault. And, with the popularity of the internet and programs like facebook and myspace, bullying has gone cyber, involving threats and taunts over the web.
The Emotional Effects of Bullying
Teen bullying can have detrimental effects on a teen's emotional well-being, and can cause a variety of responses. According to Teen Health, studies have shown that bullying leads to a low self-esteem, stress, depression, and anxiety. Some victims have a decline in school performance, and become isolated. In severe cases, teens have committed suicide due to the constant abuse.
These emotional issues go beyond the victim. The National Youth Violence Prevention Resource Center (NYVPRC) details statistics and facts surrounding teen bullying. They describe not only how the victims are negatively impacted by these actions, but witnesses to the bullying are affected as well.
88 percent of junior high and high school students said that they battled feelings of guilt and helplessness after witnesses these sort of events. The reactions range from blaming the victim, to avoiding the teen for fear of being targeted themselves. Overall, these actions lead to an environment clouded by fear and uncertainty during an already difficult time in a young person's life.
Bullying is More Common Than Many Think
According to the NYVPRC, 30 percent of teens in the U.S. are estimated to be involved in bullying in one way or another. Bullying occurs more frequently in boys than girls, but don't count the ladies out. With the recent hazing and beating reports in the news, such as the incident when a young cheerleader was beaten by her classmates in Florida, it's obvious that girls are participating in these behaviors just as much as the boys are. Girls are more likely to bully in other ways, opting to spread gossip and take part in cruel mind games instead of physical altercations.
Teen bullying has evolved from a common teen experience to a catalyst for mental health issues and even suicide. Parents need to be aware of the prevalence of this issue in order to protect their teens.
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