6 Stereotyped Myths About Bullying

 / 

Has your child ever experienced bullying in their school? And do you know all the stereotypical myths associated with bullying?

Bullying.ย Itโ€™s a word that we all know, and that gets described in many ways. Itโ€™s an issue thatโ€™s frequently talked about and affects nearly 1 in 4 students between the ages of 12-18. Itโ€™s a reason for many school absences and can be a trigger, along with other mental health issues, that can lead to tragedies such as shootings and suicides.

Bullying.ย It has one definition, but many myths and misconceptions.

By definition, the word bullying means a repeated pattern of behavior where someone has power over someone else*.

Since bullying is often misunderstood, it doesnโ€™t always get addressed until itโ€™s too late. While bullying can lead to some of the horrific events that we hear about on the news, it can also result in low self-esteem, anxiety, depression, poor grades, job loss and a multitude of other issues that may not always present themselves to the public eye.

Bullying can have negative long-term effects, which is why itโ€™s important to differentiate the myths from the facts.

ย 

Myth # 1: โ€œGoodโ€ kids donโ€™t bully.

Fact:ย Bullying is a negative behavior that can be presented by all types of kids. Bullies are sometimes children who are perceived to be โ€œtrouble-makersโ€, get bad grades and frequently misbehave. But there are also bullies who get good grades, were taught not to bully and who seem to have no trouble making friends.

While there areย common reasonsย why kids bully, itโ€™s important to understand that these areย notย the only reasons why kids bully. Bullies who are perceived to be โ€œgood kidsโ€ are often not as easy to identify because they fall outside of the stereotypical bully persona.

ย 

Myth # 2:ย Bullyingย isnโ€™t always a big deal. Itโ€™s just kids being kids.

Fact:ย Bullying is a big deal and should always be treated as such. It shouldnโ€™t be ignored or dismissed and is not a normal part of childhood. Bullying is common, but that does not make it right nor does it change the fact that bullying can have negative consequences if not addressed.

Childhood bullying that is not addressed can have long-lasting effects that carry on to adulthood. I have had many individuals approach me who were bullied as children and are still being impacted by it as an adult. Learnย How to Heal from Childhood Bullying as an Adult.

ย 

Myth # 3: Parents will know when their child is being bullied.

Fact:ย Most parents will not know that their child is being bullied until it has escalated to the point where their child is starting to showย signs of being bulliedย due to anxiety, depression and/or low self-esteem.

ย 

Myth # 4: Bullying is something that kids grow out of.

Fact: When bullying is not addressed, the victim can have long-term effects that impact their relationships, jobs, and esteem. The consequences and effects can also be lasting for the bully.

When not addressed, kids who are bullies are more likely to abuse alcohol and other drugs later in life, get into fights, drop out of school, engage in early sexual activity, have criminal convictions as adults and be abusive toward their romantic partners, spouses or children.ย 

Did you know that bullying can have a serious impact on your childโ€™s mental health? Read Ways in Which Childhood Bullying Has Lifelong Effects on a Childโ€™s Mental Health

ย 

Myth # 5: Itโ€™s best to just let kids work it out themselves.

Fact:ย Children who are bullied should be empowered to try to address the bullying themselves with the support of their parent(s) or other trusted adult. This does not mean that the parent should not care or be involved.

Parents should useย empathy, empowerment and engagementย to help their child heal from bullying and address it. If a child wants to handle the whole thing themselves, parents must make sure that they are committed to stepping in if their childโ€™s safety or well-being is at risk.

ย 

Myth # 6: Bullying is anytime one person is mean to another.

Fact:ย Bullying is not a one-time confrontation or conflict between two peers. It isnโ€™t a verbal disagreement, friends naturally growing apart, a kid not getting his or her way, or a child being mean to another child just once.

All of these things can feel bad, but they are not bullying. Bullying is a repetitive pattern of one person (the bully) having power over another (the victim) by taunting, calling names, harassing, or being physically or verbally abusive.

Awareness is one of the best ways to help prevent bullying. Empathy, empowerment, and engagement can help parents address bullying with their child. The Empowered Child book provides more information and examples of how you can use The Three Eโ€™s to help your child address bullying and other issues. If your child is experiencing bullying and has anxiety or depression that does not go away, itโ€™s important to seek professional help. I am always available for assistance and you canย click hereย if youโ€™d like to schedule a complimentary 30-minute phone consultation.


Bullying can be an extremely serious thing to go through, and if the right measures are not taken at the right time, the results can prove to be dangerous. If you detect that your child is being bullied, then make sure they know that they can rely on you for support. As a parent, your help and support are what matters the most to your child.

If you want to know more about bullying, then you might find this video interesting:

๏ปฟ

6 Stereotyped Myths About Bullying

— Share —

— About the Author —

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Up Next

When Grandparentsโ€™ Love Goes Sour: 8 Signs Of Toxic Grandparents And How To Survive Them

Signs Of Toxic Grandparents

Have you ever noticed certain behaviors that make you wonder if your grandparentsโ€™ love might be a littleโ€ฆ off? Spotting the signs of toxic grandparents can be tough, especially when society paints them as the ultimate source of unconditional love and support.

But sometimes, grandparents might cross boundaries, show favoritism, or create a stressful environment that doesnโ€™t quite feel right. If youโ€™ve ever felt uneasy about their behavior, youโ€™re not alone.

In this article, weโ€™ll dive into the subtle and not-so-subtle signs of toxic grandparents and give you some strategies regarding how to deal with toxic grandparents, without causing family drama.

First, let us try to understand what are toxic grandparents.

Up Next

Unlocking The Pain Of The Past: 10 Signs Of Repressed Childhood Trauma In Adults

Ever find yourself reacting strongly to situations and not quite sure why? Either you hear echoes of your past, or itโ€™s probably because you listen to your inner child. In this article, weโ€™re delving into the signs of repressed childhood trauma in adults โ€“ those subtle whispers from your younger self that can shape your present.

(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});

Up Next

The Hidden Toll of Childhood Emotional Incest: Identifying Signs and Effects

Emotional incest confuses parent-child dynamics, creating emotional dependency. Letโ€™s look at the signs and effects of this incomprehensible relationship to gain a better understanding.

(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});

Emotional incest has been compared to actual incest because it similarly creates long-lasting effects on psychosocial developme

Up Next

How To Create A Toddler-Friendly Home: 10 Helpful Tips For New Parents!

Bringing a toddler to your house can be both exciting and challenging. As soon as they begin taking notice of their surroundings, the environment in which they dwell must be secure, comfortable, and conducive to growth.

(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});

It is important to learn how to create a toddler-friendly home because this will provide them with holistic development o

Up Next

How to Become Pregnant with PCOS: 6 Proven Strategies For A Promising Start

Generally, women who have polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) get problems in conceiving a child and starting a family. If you suffer from this condition of PCOS then we recommend you to take up this manual on how to become pregnant with PCOS.ย 

(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});

According to American Familiesโ€™

Up Next

Why Do I Hate My Father? 8 Effective Ways to Mend Your Relationship

โ€œWhy do I hate my father?โ€ โ€“ if you have ever asked yourself this question, then trust me, you are not alone. Not having a good relationship with your father is one of the most painful things to experience in life.

(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});

Father-child relationships can be really complicated in many cases, and itโ€™s normal to feel a mix of emotions. Whethe

Up Next

5 Steps To Raise An Emotionally Intelligent Child

Raising an emotionally intelligent child can seem challenging, but honestly, it doesnโ€™t have to be. This article is going to talk about the importance of nurturing emotional intelligence in children, and how it can help them thrive emotionally, as well as socially.

(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});