| No Tolerance, Better Futures |
 |
 |
 |
| Tuesday, 27 January 2009 23:24 | |||
 Many children expect it and adults dismiss it as a normal part of growing up. What children must know however, is that bullying should not and does not have to be tolerated. Bullying involves intentionally hurtful, verbal or physical behavior. From hitting to name-calling to cyber bullying which is made possible via internet chat rooms and other social networking websites.
The affects bullying may have on a child are manifold. If a child is constantly belittled, taken advantage of, mocked or teased, this can for instance, affect his or her sense of self-worth, prevent him or her from wanting to attend school and as we are seeing recently and too frequently, could lead to suicide or school shootings. Mona O’ Moore, responsible for the Anti-Bullying Research & Resource Center Dublin, states that there is a growing body of research which indicates that individuals, whether child or adult who are persistently subjected to abusive behavior, are at risk of stress related illnesses which can lead to suicide. Further, individuals who bully others now (during childhood), in later years, risk judicial correction and conviction in courts. If a child is being picked on at school, he or she may be reluctant to tell mom or dad what has been happening. If you suspect bullying at school, encourage children to have a friend with him or her as much as they can. If the bully is aware that he may have to stand up to a group of people, he may become less interested. We can teach as well not to retaliate but to act with indifference. After all, where is the fun in teasing someone who simply does not show care or concern. If the negative behavior is too disturbing to ignore, encourage children to tell an adult. Explain to them that they are not tattling but reporting; helping other children feel safe as well. Surely we realize that whether we are in a big house or small house, drive a luxury car or not, that the way a child views himself is less related to materialism and more so to whom they believe they are because of our positive involvement in their lives. (I will not elaborate on this point here as I dedicated an article to this subject already). I say this to very briefly show you that a child who thinks himself a prince (because of our involvement; not what we buy for them), will be less likely to bully someone and less likely to standby passively, if he witnesses bullying. On the other hand, the child who thinks little of himself, experiences abusive behavior as part of his daily life, and further has no one encouraging him, that child stands a greater chance of aggressive behavior. Remember my recent article, “The Last Individual Standing”. If a child says he wants to be a philanthropist, surely he cannot bully people or stand and watch a child being bullied since that would be the opposite of what a philanthropist believes. According to the Anti-Bullying Research & Resource Center, if aggressive behavior is not challenged in childhood, there is a danger that it may become habitual, escalating into domestic violence in adulthood. We know that parenting is a non-stop responsibility involving the provision of instruction and information, counsel and direction. Our children are looking to us to show them how to survive this world that can be very tough and bewildering. We must strive continuously to provide the guidance they need. By Gale B. Royal-Morris ED. DIPS. The Education Minute
|
|||
| Last Updated on Wednesday, 28 January 2009 10:02 |
Related Articles
Latest Local News
|
Tourist Board expands adding two new staff members The Turks and Caicos Tourist Board announced this week it welcomed two new staff members to further More... |
|
Cruise terminal to open April 8 Beginning Monday, April 8, thousands of cruise ship passengers will again begin to enjoy the More... |
|
2013 TCI Elecrotal List Available TCI 2013 Electors’ Register is Ready! Supervisor of Elections Mr. Dudley Lewis has announced More... |
|
Misick Declared By-Election Winner Supervisor of Elections Dudley Lewis has advised that the Progressive National Party's (PNP) Amanda More... |
|
New Board leads TCHTA On Wednesday, March 13, Turks and Caicos Hotel and Tourism Association (TCHTA) bid farewell to its More... |