Skip to main content

Understanding the roots of bullying: Insights from the BBC

Hi everybody, 

Bullying is a complex and deeply rooted issue that affects countless children worldwide. The BBC article Why some children become merciless bullies (Oakes, 2019) delves into the underlying factors that contribute to bullying behavior, offering a nuanced perspective that goes beyond the traditional view of bullies as simply aggressive or troubled individuals.

The article highlights that bullying often stems from a combination of personal, social, and environmental factors. Dorothy Espelage, a professor of education at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, notes that researchers previously believed bullies were typically aggressive children from violent or neglectful homes. However, this view has evolved. Espelage explains that some bullies are socially adept and use their influence to dominate others, stating, "Socially dominant bullies want to be the leader of the crowd... and the way that they do that is to push kids down the hierarchy" (Oakes, 2019).

One poignant example in the article is the story of RubySam Youngz, who was bullied for her accent after moving to a new area. The bullying had long-term effects on her self-esteem and mental health, illustrating the lasting impact such experiences can have on victims.

The article also discusses how cyberbullying has changed the landscape of bullying. The anonymity and reach of online platforms can amplify the harm caused, making it more challenging to address and prevent.

In my opinion, understanding the multifaceted nature of bullying is crucial for developing effective prevention and intervention strategies. Recognizing that bullies may not always fit a single profile allows educators, parents, and policymakers to tailor their approaches to different situations. Moreover, acknowledging the role of social dynamics and online environments in bullying behavior is essential in our increasingly digital world.

Staying informed about the evolving nature of bullying helps us create safer and more supportive environments for children. By addressing the root causes and adapting our strategies accordingly, we can work towards reducing the prevalence and impact of bullying in all its forms.

Reference

Oakes, K. (2019, September 16). Why some children become merciless bullies. BBC Future. https://www.bbc.com/future/article/20190913-why-some-children-become-merciless-bullies 

Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

New Definition of Bullying

 Hi everyone! The World Anti-Bullying Forum, together with UNESCO, created a Working group for establishing a new definition of school bullying. Its new definition keeps the idea that bullying requires unwanted repetitive aggressiveness and imbalance of power, and adds the idea that this power imbalance is supported by societal and institutional norms. The emphasis is now in the idea that bullying is not an affair among students but a social process. The new definition is this one: School bullying is a damaging social process that is characterized by an imbalance of power driven by social (societal) and institutional norms. It is often repeated and manifests as unwanted interpersonal behaviour among students or school personnel that causes physical, social, and emotional harm to the targeted individuals or groups, and the wider school community. You can find the document where it is explained  here . Fes
Post a Comment
Read more

Salutogenic approach and a personal opinion

  As I briefly mentioned in my previous post, on the website called PDA Bullying , among various resources, there is a section dedicated to explain the Salutogenic approach . After doing some research, it becomes clear that this approach gets its name because its main goal is to promote health and well-being . The platform aims to address bullying from this perspective, adopting a strength-based approach that focuses on individuals' potential and the creation of a cooperative community working toward a shared goal . It slightly reminds me of the No Blame Approach we studied in class, as it also refers to a method based on compassion and a solution-focused outlook , rather than assigning blame. Their aim is not simply to act against bullying, but rather to overcome it , moving beyond a simplistic understanding of bullying as just a dynamic between two individuals. Instead, they view it as a broader social process . For this reason, the protocol designed and implemented by...
Post a Comment
Read more

The Simpsons: Bull-E

  Bull-E - The Simpsons (Season 26, Episode 21) The Simpsons has reflected bullying as a complex issue through their episodes, whether through Bart’s pranks, Nelson’s struggles, or Springfield’s collective response, the show highlights the importance of addressing bullying thoughtfully and empathetically.  Many schools and communities have anti-bullying policies, but the debates arise about how to enforce them without oppressing free expression or over-penalizing minor infractions. The episode of The Simpsons reflects these concerns by showing the challenges of finding a balance. It highlights how good intentions, like preventing bullying (passing an Anti-Bullying law), can sometimes go way too far, leading to unintended consequences. Also, it brings up the difficulty of bullying’s definition, what feels like bullying to one person might seem harmless to another, that is Homer’s storyline, which reminds us that our words and actions, even if unintended, can impact on others d...
Post a Comment
Read more