How Many Myths About Bullying Do You Hold?

True
While it takes an entire "village" to reduce school violence, a school nurse is a critical part of the plan and can demonstrate leadership, patient/student advocacy, and can help identify risk factors associated with bullying.

True
Spreading rumors, name calling, isolating or ostracizing others and causing embarrassment are all forms of bullying that can cause serious long-term consequences. These relational forms of bullying may occur in both girls and boys. Some studies have found a higher incidence of relational aggression in girls.

False
Over 56% of students report having witnessed instances of bullying in their schools.Bystanders are almost always present, whereas adults rarely witness bullying. Some of the top years for bullying include 4th through 8th graders in which 90 percent were reported as victims of some kind of bullying.

FALSE
Many children who bully are popular, powerful, have high social status, are socially skillful and they have average or better than average self- esteem; taking particular pride in their aggressive behavior and sense of control over less powerful peers whom they victimize. Bullies may be members of a group where bullying behavior is held in high regard. On the other hand, some children who bully may have poor social skills and experience feelings of being socially anxious or depressed, and bullying is a form of bravado or “emotional toughness.”

FALSE
Bullying is a reflection of a power imbalance that becomes consolidated through repeated interactions in which children who are victimized are unable to stop the bullying on their own and are in need of the assistance of an adult to protect them. Ignoring bullies by victims, peers and teachers sends the wrong message to bullies that they can continue to act as they have. Victims who fight back have the potential of escalating the power imbalance. Some victims are provocative and can spark bullying, but these children are very few and are in need of help. It is important not to blame the victim and it is essential to ensure that victimized children are protected and safe.

TRUE
Bullies usually choose victims who are physically weaker or different or who have lower social status. However some students both bully themselves and are bullied by others. The children who are both bullies and victims are at highest risk for problems: they are more likely to experience depression and anxiety and more likely to become involved in delinquent behavior

FALSE
Although aggression and bullying decrease as children mature, unless adults or influential peers intervene, bullying is likely to continue and, in some instances, escalates into violence and delinquency. Children considered chronic bullies are likely to persist in such aggressive behavior into adulthood

FALSE
Teachers need to teach students the difference between tattling and reporting: Tattling is to get someone into trouble; telling is to get someone out of trouble. A major goal is to establish the school climate and social conditions whereby both victims and bystanders trust teachers enough to report incidents of bullying. Research indicates that children who report being victimized to an adult are less likely to continue being victimized compared to those who do not tell.

FALSE
Bullying is an “underground” activity that adults often miss. Teachers intervene in only 14% of classroom bullying episodes and in only 4% of playground episodes of bullying. School staff is generally unaware of the episodes of bullying and victimization.

FALSE
Various school-based interventions reported worldwide have reduced bullying by 15% to 50%. The most successful interventions are ecological involving the entire school staff, parents and community members.

FALSE
Parents are often unaware of the extent of bullying and victimization of their children. Moreover, parents do not usually discuss bullying with their children. Parents need to be active partners in promoting their children’s healthy relationships and preventing bullying.