Are you aware of what the most devastating effects of bullying can be? School is where a child becomes a member of a society but apart from the learning proposition, it is a place that becomes a stage for nasty pranks that are taken too far and which have a negative effect on the lives of several pupils.
To detect and combat bullying, and ensure healthy development for children, it is important to understand what this social problem is and its consequences. Read the post and learn more about the subject!
Table of Contents
What is bullying?
Bullying is characterized by intentional and repetitive physical, verbal and/or psychological aggression against a person. Although it is a more common practice in schools, the situation can occur in different social contexts, such as universities, workplaces and also in the family nucleus. In fact, a child who lives in an environment of disrespect and harassment at home tends to be the aggressor, oppressing his or her peers.
It is important to remember that this problem does not always appear in the form of a black eye or other types of bruises. In addition, sometimes a seemingly harmless nickname can cause irreparable harm to the target of the insult. To understand better, see what types of bullying there are:
- physical — physical violence of all kinds;
- psychological — intimidation, blackmail, slander and persecution regarding religion, sexual orientation, physical appearance, etc.;
- verbal — mean nicknames, insults and humiliations;
- virtual — cyberbullying occurs as verbal and psychological attacks over the internet;
- social — when a person is constantly excluded from activities and social interactions.
What are the consequences of bullying?
It is important to note that bullying is not just “child’s play”, as it can have a serious and far-reaching impact on a person. Check out 5 reasons why you should pay attention to the signs that are manifested.
1. Aggressiveness
In addition to the problematic behavior of the offenders, the victim may always appear defensive and demonstrate symptoms of stress and aggression towards others, such as parents, teachers and classmates. Furthermore, when these unpleasant situations occur in the classroom, the teacher may have difficulty getting the students to concentrate.
More than just discomfort, bullying contributes to a climate of anguish and fear in the school environment, marking the victim and shaping their personality. After all, this is a child or teenager who is discovering the world and growing up.
This can affect a person’s life in such a way that it can contribute to the development of an aggressive adult. Think of the many headlines in recent years that have reported attacks motivated by bullying .
2. Conflicts in class
Mean jokes, name-calling, and even some types of physical aggression can happen in school and disrupt class. In these cases, the teacher may have difficulty presenting the content and getting the class to concentrate.
The deadlock must be addressed at the point where it occurs and given the weight it deserves. Failure to do so may increase the chances of violence advancing to an even more difficult stage. It is for this reason that the school has to be devoted to designing educational programs on bullying, orienting students and reprimanding the aggressors.
3. Disinterest in school and decline in performance
It is common for students who are victims of bullying to be afraid of going to school, since the attacks do not contribute to an environment conducive to learning. This situation encourages a lack of interest in school activities and tasks.
In this sense, traumatic experiences can lead to the development of a school phobia, that is, an intense fear of attending school, which can result in social inability , repeating grades due to absences, a drop in performance and even school dropout.
Bullying, therefore, is a very serious problem that should be monitored by parents, because, in addition to carrying a series of personal difficulties due to violence, the person who gives up on studies early runs the risk of losing several opportunities throughout their life.
4. Psychological disorders
Isolation, humiliation and a strong sense of fear have long-term impacts on victims of bullying. Low self-esteem, insecurity, anxiety, stress, panic attacks and depression are some examples.
On the other hand, those who bully also need attention, since the bad behavior they display may be an extension of the aggressions they suffered in a tumultuous family environment, without the presence of their parents and/or without limits. These young people are generally immature, hyperactive, distracted and have a need for self-affirmation.
5. Eating disorders
Wearing glasses, weight, height, skin color, hair color, religion, shyness and other trivial things are reasons for bullying. In this context, many children who are victims of this social problem begin to believe the insults and see themselves with a view as critical and cruel as that of the aggressor.
In other words, self-image is directly affected and this is how eating disorders begin. An example of this is when determined to change their appearance in order to get rid of the attacks, the young person submits themselves to strict diets to lose weight, causing disorders such as bulimia and anorexia.
The development of these pathologies occurs frequently in victims of bullying and can lead to dehydration, malnutrition, and death. Therefore, it is essential to be aware of this sign and others, such as the consumption of alcoholic beverages and illicit drugs.
How to detect this social problem?
Bullying often has devastating consequences for its victims, so the earlier it is detected, the better. Below are some signs that a child may show when experiencing this social problem:
- is constantly sad;
- always remains isolated;
- has worsening school grades;
- walks with a hunched posture, looking at his feet and avoiding looking at other people;
- often asks to skip classes;
- has extreme mood swings;
- appears with bruises.
- has arrogant behavior;
- does not feel empathy;
- does not regret when he does something wrong;
- gets irritated and loses control quickly;
- resorts to the use of force for any reason;
- shows great concern for appearance.
