One of the topics most treated by societies in the nation is BULLYING. Did you know that up to 25 percent of kids are bullied, yet only a quarter and half of them actually tell their parents or another adult? Bullying in schools is a national epidemic that can have many negative results for the school itself, as well as the right of students to learn in a safe and fearless environment, and is sometimes not taken seriously enough until it is too late.
Bullying is a serious problem that can dramatically affect children’s abilities in all aspects, including academics and social. For many years, parents believed that bullying was a normal part of childhood and overlooked by many, and still is today. Students who engage in bullying behavior feed on the satisfaction of causing harm and suffering to others and have very little empathy for their victims. Studies show that bullies come from broken homes where physical punishment is often used and where parental warmth and involvement is lacking, so they yearn to feel power and control.
The most common types of bullying are verbal and physical, and it is usually initiated by one or more students. With the scope of the problem steadily increasing through the elementary years and then on through high school. Reports show that direct physical aggression decreases with age. However, the verbal abuse remains constant. Students who are bullied are often very insecure, suffer from low self-esteem, and are often socially isolated. The long-term effects of this type of bullying are terrible, and in some cases, the result is suicide.
There are many ways we can help our children when situations arise and how to be prepared for it. Bearing in mind that violence is NOT the answer, what comes into play is SELF-DEFENSE. The most important thing a parent can do is open communication. Making time to listen and talk to his children is a form of awareness in itself. Ask simple questions like “how are you feeling at school?”, “how was the bus ride home?” Questions like “other kids treat you well” will help your child feel confident that he can tell you when something is wrong without experiencing fear of what will happen if he says so. This will help you as a parent understand what action you will need to take, whether it is approaching the school administration or taking the next step and teaching your child to be more assertive and conscientious.
Also, with this in mind, you can search for shows like Mixed Martial Arts. Learn lots of ways to set limits before bullying starts. ANTI-BULLYING programs have a positive curriculum that teaches your child how to protect themselves. The programs will cover the areas of verbal self-defense and when and how to apply physical self-defense.
Knowing the basics of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu can give your child the necessary tools to fight back against a bully if necessary. It is considered a non-violent form of self-defense and various techniques such as blocks and grabs can be used to stop a larger or stronger child, and it is also one of the gentle forms of martial arts because it allows you to use the technique without harming the other in any strong violent nature, but enough to let the bully know you are in control.
In conclusion, the worst fear of parents is that their child will be hurt. We all love our children and they should not have to deal with this kind of abuse as a child and even more so even have to deal with it in school while trying to get an education and live happily. Therefore, communication, assertiveness, confidence, and awareness can be your main tool in determining whether or not you can stop the bullying epidemic.