Teens
Bullying is a serious problem in many high schools today. Kids sometimes don't realize that they're being bullied, or even that they're a bully!
Who is the bully?
We all think of a bully as someone who is bigger than you, beats up on little kids and steals their lunch money, but a bully doesn't always have that appearance. The appearance of a bully isn't what matters. It could be a cheerleader, a jock, or just your average kid. The behavior of the bully is the important thing.
Bullies usually:
- Blame others for their errors
- Make unreasonable, or stupid demands
- Make fun of a smaller, weaker person in front of an audience
- Don't listen to the rules
- Seek control and power
- Are bad losers and bad winners
- Exhibit anger and rage
What can you do?
Don't let bullies get to you! Ignore them if you can! If the problem is so serious as to where you can't ignore it, tell a teacher or principal! If they don't listen, keep telling them until something is done.
- Leave your emotions out of it. Don't show that they're getting to you.
- State your position
- Let it be known how you feel and what you're going to do about it, then simply
walk away.
- Let it be known how you feel and what you're going to do about it, then simply
- Try to stay calm
- Use humor to deflect it, if possible
- Don't fight back
What's the difference?
| Normal Conflict | Bullying |
| Friends, equals | Not friends, imbalance of power |
| Happens occasionally | Happens repeatedly |
| Is an accident | Is done on purpose |
| Not serious, joking | Serious |
| Not seeking power or attention | Seeking power and control |
| Gains nothing out of it | Gain material items or power |
| Feels remorse | Feels no guilt or remorse, blames the victim |
| Tries to solve problem | No effort to solve the problem |
For more information on bullying in teens visit: http://www.pacerteensagainstbullying.org/