Author: No Bullies Allowed

[vc_row type=”in_container” full_screen_row_position=”middle” scene_position=”center” text_color=”dark” text_align=”left” overlay_strength=”0.3″ shape_divider_position=”bottom” bg_image_animation=”none” shape_type=””][vc_column column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_position=”all” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_link_target=”_self” column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” width=”2/3″ tablet_width_inherit=”default” tablet_text_alignment=”default” phone_text_alignment=”default” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid” bg_image_animation=”none”][image_with_animation image_url=”1770″ alignment=”” animation=”None” border_radius=”10px” box_shadow=”small_depth” max_width=”100%”][/vc_column][vc_column column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_position=”all” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_link_target=”_self” column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” width=”1/3″ tablet_width_inherit=”default” tablet_text_alignment=”default” phone_text_alignment=”default” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid” bg_image_animation=”none”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row type=”in_container” full_screen_row_position=”middle” scene_position=”center” text_color=”dark” text_align=”left” overlay_strength=”0.3″ shape_divider_position=”bottom” bg_image_animation=”none” shape_type=””][vc_column column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_position=”all” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_link_target=”_self” column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” width=”1/1″ tablet_width_inherit=”default” tablet_text_alignment=”default” phone_text_alignment=”default” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid” bg_image_animation=”none”][vc_column_text]Source: Stomp Out Bullying[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row type=”in_container” full_screen_row_position=”middle” scene_position=”center” text_color=”dark” text_align=”left” overlay_strength=”0.3″ shape_divider_position=”bottom” bg_image_animation=”none”][vc_column column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_position=”all” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_link_target=”_self” column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” width=”1/1″ tablet_width_inherit=”default” tablet_text_alignment=”default” phone_text_alignment=”default” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid” bg_image_animation=”none”][vc_column_text]

Do you know that teen dating violence is a form of bullying?

[/vc_column_text][divider line_type=”Full Width Line” line_thickness=”2″ divider_color=”extra-color-gradient-1″ custom_height=”40″][vc_column_text]You could be in a relationship where your partner is verbally, emotionally, physically, or sexually abusive. Maybe you’re afraid of your partner. Maybe you think that it’s your job to make the relationship work. Maybe you don’t know that it’s not okay for your partner to beat you. Maybe you’re afraid that there’s no one else in the whole world who would want you. Maybe you think it’s your fault that your partner is so abusive … after all … they don’t treat anyone else that way. Maybe you’re afraid to tell anyone!

Dating violence affects about one in ten teen couples.
Teenagers can often misinterpret abusive and violent behavior as a show of love. Hitting, yelling, threatening, name calling, and using and hurting you sexually isn’t love!

Verbal and emotional abuse
Ridiculing, name-calling, threats, constant criticism, controlling, belittling, and other negative behavior to scare their partner or destroy her/his self-esteem. Both men and women have long-term effects from this type of abuse. Verbal abuse, like physical abuse, is rooted in the low self-esteem of a partner. It’s also rooted in the helplessness, guilt, and confusion of a partner who allows another to treat them this way. Submitting to this behavior in the name of love doesn’t work and is self-destructive.

Places to Contact for Further Information:

• Local Battered Women’s Shelters or Rape Crisis Centers
• Dating Violence Hotline 1-888-799-SAFE
• National Domestic Violence Hotline 1.800-799-7233
• Rape Abuse and Incest National Network Hotline 1-800-656-4673

[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row type=”in_container” full_screen_row_position=”middle” scene_position=”center” text_color=”dark” text_align=”left” overlay_strength=”0.3″ shape_divider_position=”bottom” bg_image_animation=”none”][vc_column column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_position=”all” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_link_target=”_self” column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” width=”1/1″ tablet_width_inherit=”default” tablet_text_alignment=”default” phone_text_alignment=”default” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid” bg_image_animation=”none”][vc_raw_js]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[/vc_raw_js][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row type=”in_container” full_screen_row_position=”middle” scene_position=”center” text_color=”dark” text_align=”left” top_padding=”2%” overlay_strength=”0.3″ shape_divider_position=”bottom” bg_image_animation=”none” shape_type=””][vc_column column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_position=”all” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_link_target=”_self” column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” width=”1/1″ tablet_width_inherit=”default” tablet_text_alignment=”default” phone_text_alignment=”default” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid” bg_image_animation=”none”][nectar_btn size=”medium” open_new_tab=”true” button_style=”regular” button_color_2=”extra-color-gradient-2″ icon_family=”default_arrow” url=”https://www.stompoutbullying.org/get-help/about-bullying-and-cyberbullying/harassment-and-teen-dating-violence” text=”Read More”][divider line_type=”No Line” custom_height=”35″][vc_column_text][/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row type=”in_container” full_screen_row_position=”middle” scene_position=”center” text_color=”dark” text_align=”left” overlay_strength=”0.3″ shape_divider_position=”bottom” bg_image_animation=”none”][vc_column column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_position=”all” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_link_target=”_self” column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” width=”1/1″ tablet_width_inherit=”default” tablet_text_alignment=”default” phone_text_alignment=”default” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid” bg_image_animation=”none”][vc_column_text]University of Córdoba. “Bullying evolves with age and proves difficult to escape from.” ScienceDaily. ScienceDaily, 14 March 2019. <www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2019/03/190314111145.htm>.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row type=”in_container” full_screen_row_position=”middle” scene_position=”center” text_color=”dark” text_align=”left” overlay_strength=”0.3″ shape_divider_position=”bottom” bg_image_animation=”none”][vc_column column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_position=”all” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_link_target=”_self” column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” width=”1/1″ tablet_width_inherit=”default” tablet_text_alignment=”default” phone_text_alignment=”default” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid” bg_image_animation=”none”][vc_column_text][/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

[vc_row type=”in_container” full_screen_row_position=”middle” scene_position=”center” text_color=”dark” text_align=”left” overlay_strength=”0.3″ shape_divider_position=”bottom” bg_image_animation=”none” shape_type=””][vc_column column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_position=”all” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_link_target=”_self” column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” width=”2/3″ tablet_width_inherit=”default” tablet_text_alignment=”default” phone_text_alignment=”default” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid” bg_image_animation=”none”][image_with_animation image_url=”1747″ alignment=”” animation=”None” border_radius=”10px” box_shadow=”small_depth” max_width=”100%”][/vc_column][vc_column column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_position=”all” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_link_target=”_self” column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” width=”1/3″ tablet_width_inherit=”default” tablet_text_alignment=”default” phone_text_alignment=”default” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid” bg_image_animation=”none”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row type=”in_container” full_screen_row_position=”middle” scene_position=”center” text_color=”dark” text_align=”left” overlay_strength=”0.3″ shape_divider_position=”bottom” bg_image_animation=”none” shape_type=””][vc_column column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_position=”all” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_link_target=”_self” column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” width=”1/1″ tablet_width_inherit=”default” tablet_text_alignment=”default” phone_text_alignment=”default” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid” bg_image_animation=”none”][vc_column_text]Source: ScienceDaily
By: University of Córdoba[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row type=”in_container” full_screen_row_position=”middle” scene_position=”center” text_color=”dark” text_align=”left” overlay_strength=”0.3″ shape_divider_position=”bottom” bg_image_animation=”none”][vc_column column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_position=”all” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_link_target=”_self” column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” width=”1/1″ tablet_width_inherit=”default” tablet_text_alignment=”default” phone_text_alignment=”default” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid” bg_image_animation=”none”][vc_column_text]

Bullying evolves with age and proves difficult to escape from.

[/vc_column_text][divider line_type=”Full Width Line” line_thickness=”2″ divider_color=”extra-color-gradient-1″ custom_height=”40″][vc_column_text]Bullying is a harmful antisocial behavior present in schools all over the world. Involvement in bullying, as either perpetrators or victims, have serious short-term and long-term consequences for all the members of the school community, family and society in general, causing future problems related to depression and difficulty with social relationships. Moreover, studies on bullying link it to drug use and even offending.

Bullying among teens is a serious problem that needs to be urgently addressed. Even though the number of studies about bullying has increased, there are still gaps in knowledge related to its long-term stability.

The evolution of bullying and its manifestation through specific behaviors as adolescents grow older was the focus of this international team, which includes researchers from the University of Cordoba Izabela Zych and Vicente J. Llorent, together with Manuel P. Eisner, David P. Farrington and Maria M. Ttofi from the University of Cambridge and Denis Ribeaud from the University of Zurich. This team identified specific bullying behaviors in each age group and how adolescents continue to be involved in bullying or, on the other hand, find a way out at some point before adulthood. Recent findings of this study were published in Child Development, in which evolution of bullying is explained, finding that it becomes less physical with age. In this sense, physical harm is a common bullying behavior at young ages, while more subtle forms, such as insults and social exclusion, are maintained throughout adolescence.

This study is based on nearly 1000 adolescents, who responded to a questionnaire on bullying perpetration and victimization at age 11, 13, 15 and 17. What is new about this study is that the same group of participants was followed up from age 11 to age 17, that is, for six years, in order to see the evolution of bullying.

This study shows that there are different bullying roles. These roles are: perpetrators, victims and bully/victims (who are both perpetrators and victims). Nearly 15% of the almost 1000 participants in the sample had been involved in one of these bullying roles during all their adolescent years, that is at age 11, 13, 15 and 17. Moreover, it was found that most participants who were not involved in bullying at 11 were never affected by this problem, or that they were involved only once during their adolescent years.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row type=”in_container” full_screen_row_position=”middle” scene_position=”center” text_color=”dark” text_align=”left” overlay_strength=”0.3″ shape_divider_position=”bottom” bg_image_animation=”none”][vc_column column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_position=”all” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_link_target=”_self” column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” width=”1/1″ tablet_width_inherit=”default” tablet_text_alignment=”default” phone_text_alignment=”default” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid” bg_image_animation=”none”][vc_raw_js]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[/vc_raw_js][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row type=”in_container” full_screen_row_position=”middle” scene_position=”center” text_color=”dark” text_align=”left” top_padding=”2%” overlay_strength=”0.3″ shape_divider_position=”bottom” bg_image_animation=”none” shape_type=””][vc_column column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_position=”all” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_link_target=”_self” column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” width=”1/1″ tablet_width_inherit=”default” tablet_text_alignment=”default” phone_text_alignment=”default” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid” bg_image_animation=”none”][nectar_btn size=”medium” open_new_tab=”true” button_style=”regular” button_color_2=”extra-color-gradient-2″ icon_family=”default_arrow” url=”https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2019/03/190314111145.htm” text=”Read More”][divider line_type=”No Line” custom_height=”35″][vc_column_text][/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row type=”in_container” full_screen_row_position=”middle” scene_position=”center” text_color=”dark” text_align=”left” overlay_strength=”0.3″ shape_divider_position=”bottom” bg_image_animation=”none”][vc_column column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_position=”all” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_link_target=”_self” column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” width=”1/1″ tablet_width_inherit=”default” tablet_text_alignment=”default” phone_text_alignment=”default” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid” bg_image_animation=”none”][vc_column_text]University of Córdoba. “Bullying evolves with age and proves difficult to escape from.” ScienceDaily. ScienceDaily, 14 March 2019. <www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2019/03/190314111145.htm>.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

[vc_row type=”in_container” full_screen_row_position=”middle” scene_position=”center” text_color=”dark” text_align=”left” overlay_strength=”0.3″ shape_divider_position=”bottom” bg_image_animation=”none” shape_type=””][vc_column column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_position=”all” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_link_target=”_self” column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” width=”2/3″ tablet_width_inherit=”default” tablet_text_alignment=”default” phone_text_alignment=”default” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid” bg_image_animation=”none”][image_with_animation image_url=”1751″ alignment=”” animation=”None” border_radius=”10px” box_shadow=”small_depth” max_width=”100%”][/vc_column][vc_column column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_position=”all” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_link_target=”_self” column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” width=”1/3″ tablet_width_inherit=”default” tablet_text_alignment=”default” phone_text_alignment=”default” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid” bg_image_animation=”none”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row type=”in_container” full_screen_row_position=”middle” scene_position=”center” text_color=”dark” text_align=”left” overlay_strength=”0.3″ shape_divider_position=”bottom” bg_image_animation=”none” shape_type=””][vc_column column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_position=”all” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_link_target=”_self” column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” width=”1/1″ tablet_width_inherit=”default” tablet_text_alignment=”default” phone_text_alignment=”default” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid” bg_image_animation=”none”][vc_column_text]Source: #RGS Teacher’s Lounge
By: Brandi Jordan[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row type=”in_container” full_screen_row_position=”middle” scene_position=”center” text_color=”dark” text_align=”left” overlay_strength=”0.3″ shape_divider_position=”bottom” bg_image_animation=”none”][vc_column column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_position=”all” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_link_target=”_self” column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” width=”1/1″ tablet_width_inherit=”default” tablet_text_alignment=”default” phone_text_alignment=”default” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid” bg_image_animation=”none”][vc_column_text]

A Heartfelt Approach to Bullying Education on Valentine’s Day

[/vc_column_text][divider line_type=”Full Width Line” line_thickness=”2″ divider_color=”extra-color-gradient-1″ custom_height=”40″][vc_column_text]Valentine’s Day is the perfect time to teach students about how bullying hurts and kindness heals. This idea comes from Judy, a Kindergarten Teacher, in Fenton, MO. Not only does it encourage students to identify what bullying behavior is, but it also shows them how kind words make a difference in how people feel about themselves.

One Teacher’s Approach to Bullying Education
When bully behavior is a problem with some students, I involve my whole class in this “heart-rendering” activity. I begin by drawing and cutting out a large heart shape from red craft paper. I use a marker to divide the heart into enough jagged-edged pieces so each child can have one piece. I also use a second length of red craft paper to draw the same heart, but this time, I flip the paper over so the heart appears on the reverse (or back) side of the paper. I leave this heart uncut and set it aside for later.

I introduce the activity by displaying the first heart. I spark a discussion about how teasing and mean comments can hurt us inside. (You can read a story about bullying as a discussion springboard as well.) I then invite students to take turns coming up and ripping off one piece of the red heart along the lines while sharing one negative or nasty-sounding bullying comment someone at one time said to them. (I ask children not to reveal any sources). I tell children to remember where on the heart their piece was located.

We continue until each student is holding a piece of the heart and each has shared a time he or she was the target of mean words. I then display the heart I have drawn on the reverse side of the second piece of red craft paper. I have the students reassemble the heart shape by gluing their torn heart pieces to this new heart. With the pieces reassembled into a heart shape, I tell the class that this paper heart is a reminder of how mean words can break and scar a real heart. I then cut out the “broken” heart shape along the outside edge. I flip the heart over to show the fresh intact red heart shape. I tell the class that this fresh heart represents a heart healed with forgiveness and kind words from others, and with kind words from themselves to themselves. I inform my class that when others say mean things, it’s because their hearts have been hurt and broken and the hurt makes them want to hurt others so they can get some control and feel better. (When someone feels good inside, they have no need to lash out at others.)[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row type=”in_container” full_screen_row_position=”middle” scene_position=”center” text_color=”dark” text_align=”left” overlay_strength=”0.3″ shape_divider_position=”bottom” bg_image_animation=”none”][vc_column column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_position=”all” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_link_target=”_self” column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” width=”1/1″ tablet_width_inherit=”default” tablet_text_alignment=”default” phone_text_alignment=”default” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid” bg_image_animation=”none”][vc_raw_js]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[/vc_raw_js][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row type=”in_container” full_screen_row_position=”middle” scene_position=”center” text_color=”dark” text_align=”left” top_padding=”2%” overlay_strength=”0.3″ shape_divider_position=”bottom” bg_image_animation=”none” shape_type=””][vc_column column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_position=”all” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_link_target=”_self” column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” width=”1/1″ tablet_width_inherit=”default” tablet_text_alignment=”default” phone_text_alignment=”default” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid” bg_image_animation=”none”][nectar_btn size=”medium” open_new_tab=”true” button_style=”regular” button_color_2=”extra-color-gradient-2″ icon_family=”default_arrow” url=”https://blog.reallygoodstuff.com/a-heartfelt-approach-to-bullying-education-for-valentines-day/” text=”Read More”][divider line_type=”No Line” custom_height=”35″][vc_column_text][/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row type=”in_container” full_screen_row_position=”middle” scene_position=”center” text_color=”dark” text_align=”left” overlay_strength=”0.3″ shape_divider_position=”bottom” bg_image_animation=”none”][vc_column column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_position=”all” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_link_target=”_self” column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” width=”1/1″ tablet_width_inherit=”default” tablet_text_alignment=”default” phone_text_alignment=”default” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid” bg_image_animation=”none”][/vc_column][/vc_row]

[vc_row type=”in_container” full_screen_row_position=”middle” scene_position=”center” text_color=”dark” text_align=”left” overlay_strength=”0.3″ shape_divider_position=”bottom” bg_image_animation=”none” shape_type=””][vc_column column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_position=”all” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_link_target=”_self” column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” width=”2/3″ tablet_width_inherit=”default” tablet_text_alignment=”default” phone_text_alignment=”default” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid” bg_image_animation=”none”][image_with_animation image_url=”1632″ alignment=”” animation=”None” border_radius=”10px” box_shadow=”small_depth” max_width=”100%”][/vc_column][vc_column column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_position=”all” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_link_target=”_self” column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” width=”1/3″ tablet_width_inherit=”default” tablet_text_alignment=”default” phone_text_alignment=”default” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid” bg_image_animation=”none”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row type=”in_container” full_screen_row_position=”middle” scene_position=”center” text_color=”dark” text_align=”left” overlay_strength=”0.3″ shape_divider_position=”bottom” bg_image_animation=”none” shape_type=””][vc_column column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_position=”all” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_link_target=”_self” column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” width=”1/1″ tablet_width_inherit=”default” tablet_text_alignment=”default” phone_text_alignment=”default” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid” bg_image_animation=”none”][vc_column_text]Source: Washington Post
By Elizabeth Englander[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row type=”in_container” full_screen_row_position=”middle” scene_position=”center” text_color=”dark” text_align=”left” overlay_strength=”0.3″ shape_divider_position=”bottom” bg_image_animation=”none”][vc_column column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_position=”all” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_link_target=”_self” column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” width=”1/1″ tablet_width_inherit=”default” tablet_text_alignment=”default” phone_text_alignment=”default” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid” bg_image_animation=”none”][vc_column_text]

More cellphone use by children could mean more bullying — online and offline

[/vc_column_text][divider line_type=”Full Width Line” line_thickness=”2″ divider_color=”extra-color-gradient-1″ custom_height=”40″][vc_column_text]Each year, more parents send their young child to elementary school equipped with a smartphone.

For instance, the percentage of third-graders who reported having their own cellphone more than doubled from 19 percent in 2013 to 45 percent in 2017. Similar increases took place for fourth-graders and fifth-graders. About 50 percent of fourth-graders and 70 percent of fifth-graders went to school with a phone in 2017.

Parents often cite the ability to easily reach their child as the major advantage of giving them a device, which they view as a safety issue. “Stranger danger” and sexual predators are often the first risks that occur to parents. Some public schools are adopting policies that limit personal contact between students and teachers.

But bullying and cyberbullying are more common concerns, and in my 2017 research, I found that giving a young child a cellphone increases the likelihood that the child will either become a victim of bullying or a bully themselves.

This study of about 4,500 ­elementary school children in the United States found that having a cellphone in school was associated with being involved with both bullying and cyberbullying, both as a bully and as a bully/victim. A “bully/victim” is a child who is, at different times, both a bully and a victim of bullying.

The research found that while more than half of third-grade bullies carried cellphones, only 35 percent of children who were uninvolved in bullying did. Even more dramatically, three-quarters of third-grade cyberbullies carried cellphones compared with only 37 percent of third-graders uninvolved in cyberbullying. Results were similar, but a little weaker, for fourth- and fifth-graders.

It may be that results were strongest among the youngest children because of their relatively more limited ability to understand how communications works in a digital setting. For example, in my fieldwork at the Massachusetts Aggression Reduction Center, I’ve learned that teenagers are wary of emotions escalating quickly online, realizing that such emotions can lead to fights and bullying. But younger children typically haven’t yet learned this lesson. It was this gulf that motivated me, with a colleague, to create a children’s guide to getting their first cellphone.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row type=”in_container” full_screen_row_position=”middle” scene_position=”center” text_color=”dark” text_align=”left” overlay_strength=”0.3″ shape_divider_position=”bottom” bg_image_animation=”none”][vc_column column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_position=”all” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_link_target=”_self” column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” width=”1/1″ tablet_width_inherit=”default” tablet_text_alignment=”default” phone_text_alignment=”default” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid” bg_image_animation=”none”][vc_raw_js]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[/vc_raw_js][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row type=”in_container” full_screen_row_position=”middle” scene_position=”center” text_color=”dark” text_align=”left” top_padding=”2%” overlay_strength=”0.3″ shape_divider_position=”bottom” bg_image_animation=”none” shape_type=””][vc_column column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_position=”all” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_link_target=”_self” column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” width=”1/1″ tablet_width_inherit=”default” tablet_text_alignment=”default” phone_text_alignment=”default” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid” bg_image_animation=”none”][nectar_btn size=”medium” open_new_tab=”true” button_style=”regular” button_color_2=”extra-color-gradient-2″ icon_family=”default_arrow” url=”https://www.washingtonpost.com/national/health-science/more-cellphone-use-by-children-could-mean-more-bullying–online-and-offline/2018/10/05/29b9455c-c666-11e8-b1ed-1d2d65b86d0c_story.html” text=”Read More”][divider line_type=”No Line” custom_height=”35″][vc_column_text][/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row type=”in_container” full_screen_row_position=”middle” scene_position=”center” text_color=”dark” text_align=”left” overlay_strength=”0.3″ shape_divider_position=”bottom” bg_image_animation=”none”][vc_column column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_position=”all” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_link_target=”_self” column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” width=”1/1″ tablet_width_inherit=”default” tablet_text_alignment=”default” phone_text_alignment=”default” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid” bg_image_animation=”none”][vc_column_text][/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

[vc_row type=”in_container” full_screen_row_position=”middle” scene_position=”center” text_color=”dark” text_align=”left” overlay_strength=”0.3″ shape_divider_position=”bottom” bg_image_animation=”none” shape_type=””][vc_column column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_position=”all” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_link_target=”_self” column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” width=”2/3″ tablet_width_inherit=”default” tablet_text_alignment=”default” phone_text_alignment=”default” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid” bg_image_animation=”none”][image_with_animation image_url=”1628″ alignment=”” animation=”None” border_radius=”10px” box_shadow=”small_depth” max_width=”100%”][/vc_column][vc_column column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_position=”all” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_link_target=”_self” column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” width=”1/3″ tablet_width_inherit=”default” tablet_text_alignment=”default” phone_text_alignment=”default” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid” bg_image_animation=”none”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row type=”in_container” full_screen_row_position=”middle” scene_position=”center” text_color=”dark” text_align=”left” overlay_strength=”0.3″ shape_divider_position=”bottom” bg_image_animation=”none” shape_type=””][vc_column column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_position=”all” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_link_target=”_self” column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” width=”1/1″ tablet_width_inherit=”default” tablet_text_alignment=”default” phone_text_alignment=”default” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid” bg_image_animation=”none”][vc_column_text]Source: Japan Times[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row type=”in_container” full_screen_row_position=”middle” scene_position=”center” text_color=”dark” text_align=”left” overlay_strength=”0.3″ shape_divider_position=”bottom” bg_image_animation=”none”][vc_column column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_position=”all” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_link_target=”_self” column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” width=”1/1″ tablet_width_inherit=”default” tablet_text_alignment=”default” phone_text_alignment=”default” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid” bg_image_animation=”none”][vc_column_text]

Explore more efforts to stop school bullying

[/vc_column_text][divider line_type=”Full Width Line” line_thickness=”2″ divider_color=”extra-color-gradient-1″ custom_height=”40″][vc_column_text]Six years after a law on measures to stop bullying in schools was introduced, school officials and boards of education continue to come under criticism for inappropriate responses to bullying cases that have prompted the victims to take their own lives. We still see cases in which the lessons from the 2011 suicide of a junior high school boy in Otsu, Shiga Prefecture, as a result of bullying by his classmates — which led to enactment of the legislation — do not appear to have been learned. Attempts by lawmakers to give more teeth to the efforts to stop bullying have stalled. It’s time to review if the anti-bullying measures under the law are serving their intended purpose.

In early June, a 14-year-old student at a junior high school in the city of Gifu fell to his death from a condominium after leaving a note hinting that he had been bullied by others at school. About a month earlier, a classmate handed a memo to their teacher charging that the victim was being bullied by other students. The teacher cautioned the students identified as bullies, but he did not share the information with senior officials at the school.

Concluding that the problem was resolved, the teacher then “lost” the memo — it was likely shredded. After the boy’s death, the school’s principal said the tragedy could have been prevented if the information about his bullying had been shared so the school could take organized action, and accused the teacher of not properly addressing the accusation made by the classmate.

The mother of a 13-year-old girl at a city-run junior high school in Amagasaki, Hyogo Prefecture, who committed suicide in December 2017 filed a damages suit against the municipal government last month, charging that the school neglected to take adequate steps against bullying of her daughter by fellow students. A third-party probe launched by the city’s board of education concluded in March that bullying by her classmates led to the girl’s suicide — and that a teacher in charge of her class had failed to take action when she complained of the bullying in a school survey.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row type=”in_container” full_screen_row_position=”middle” scene_position=”center” text_color=”dark” text_align=”left” overlay_strength=”0.3″ shape_divider_position=”bottom” bg_image_animation=”none”][vc_column column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_position=”all” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_link_target=”_self” column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” width=”1/1″ tablet_width_inherit=”default” tablet_text_alignment=”default” phone_text_alignment=”default” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid” bg_image_animation=”none”][vc_raw_js]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[/vc_raw_js][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row type=”in_container” full_screen_row_position=”middle” scene_position=”center” text_color=”dark” text_align=”left” top_padding=”2%” overlay_strength=”0.3″ shape_divider_position=”bottom” bg_image_animation=”none” shape_type=””][vc_column column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_position=”all” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_link_target=”_self” column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” width=”1/1″ tablet_width_inherit=”default” tablet_text_alignment=”default” phone_text_alignment=”default” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid” bg_image_animation=”none”][nectar_btn size=”medium” open_new_tab=”true” button_style=”regular” button_color_2=”extra-color-gradient-2″ icon_family=”default_arrow” url=”https://www.japantimes.co.jp/opinion/2019/07/19/editorials/explore-efforts-stop-school-bullying/#.XgU050dKiUl” text=”Read More”][divider line_type=”No Line” custom_height=”35″][vc_column_text][/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row type=”in_container” full_screen_row_position=”middle” scene_position=”center” text_color=”dark” text_align=”left” overlay_strength=”0.3″ shape_divider_position=”bottom” bg_image_animation=”none”][vc_column column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_position=”all” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_link_target=”_self” column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” width=”1/1″ tablet_width_inherit=”default” tablet_text_alignment=”default” phone_text_alignment=”default” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid” bg_image_animation=”none”][vc_column_text][/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

[vc_row type=”in_container” full_screen_row_position=”middle” scene_position=”center” text_color=”dark” text_align=”left” overlay_strength=”0.3″ shape_divider_position=”bottom” bg_image_animation=”none” shape_type=””][vc_column column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_position=”all” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_link_target=”_self” column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” width=”2/3″ tablet_width_inherit=”default” tablet_text_alignment=”default” phone_text_alignment=”default” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid” bg_image_animation=”none”][image_with_animation image_url=”1625″ alignment=”” animation=”None” border_radius=”10px” box_shadow=”small_depth” max_width=”100%”][/vc_column][vc_column column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_position=”all” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_link_target=”_self” column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” width=”1/3″ tablet_width_inherit=”default” tablet_text_alignment=”default” phone_text_alignment=”default” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid” bg_image_animation=”none”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row type=”in_container” full_screen_row_position=”middle” scene_position=”center” text_color=”dark” text_align=”left” overlay_strength=”0.3″ shape_divider_position=”bottom” bg_image_animation=”none” shape_type=””][vc_column column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_position=”all” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_link_target=”_self” column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” width=”1/1″ tablet_width_inherit=”default” tablet_text_alignment=”default” phone_text_alignment=”default” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid” bg_image_animation=”none”][vc_column_text]Source: Cooper Aerobics[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row type=”in_container” full_screen_row_position=”middle” scene_position=”center” text_color=”dark” text_align=”left” overlay_strength=”0.3″ shape_divider_position=”bottom” bg_image_animation=”none”][vc_column column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_position=”all” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_link_target=”_self” column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” width=”1/1″ tablet_width_inherit=”default” tablet_text_alignment=”default” phone_text_alignment=”default” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid” bg_image_animation=”none”][vc_column_text]

Martial Arts Gives Kids the Tools to Stand Up to Bullies

[/vc_column_text][divider line_type=”Full Width Line” line_thickness=”2″ divider_color=”extra-color-gradient-1″ custom_height=”40″][vc_column_text]Nearly one in three students in the U.S. report being bullied during the school year. Approximately 20 percent of high schoolers report being bullied during the school year, while nearly 15 percent report being bullied online (cyber-bullying). What’s more eye opening is that only about 36 percent of children who are bullied actually report it.

Even adults can experience bullying in the workplace, or online—however many adults are more equipped to deal with bullies than children.

The effects of bullying can be devastating. Reports have shown that students who are bullied have an increased risk of depression, anxiety, difficulty sleeping and poor performance in school. These children are also more likely to experience negative health effects such as headaches and stomach problems.

But bullying doesn’t only affect the bullied, it also has negative effects on the bully. Students who bully others are at higher risk of substance use and abuse, academic problems and violence later in adolescence. A strong association between bullying and suicide also exist.

In recent years, bullying and cyber bullying have gained the attention of lawmakers, educators, parents, medical professionals and the media. Schools are putting bullying prevention education and practices in place. Students are being taught to be more than a bystander, but to step in and help those who are being bullied and those who are experiencing bullying are being encouraged to speak up whether a witness, target or bully.

As time goes on, we hope to see positive results from these anti-bullying measures, but is there more that can be done?[/vc_column_text][divider line_type=”No Line” custom_height=”40″][nectar_btn size=”medium” open_new_tab=”true” button_style=”regular” button_color_2=”extra-color-gradient-2″ icon_family=”default_arrow” url=”https://www.cooperaerobics.com/Health-Tips/Fitness-Files/Preventing-Bullying-with-Martial-Arts.aspx” text=”Read More”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row type=”in_container” full_screen_row_position=”middle” scene_position=”center” text_color=”dark” text_align=”left” overlay_strength=”0.3″ shape_divider_position=”bottom” bg_image_animation=”none”][vc_column column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_position=”all” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_link_target=”_self” column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” width=”1/1″ tablet_width_inherit=”default” tablet_text_alignment=”default” phone_text_alignment=”default” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid” bg_image_animation=”none”][vc_raw_js]JTNDc2NyaXB0JTIwZGF0YS1vaW8tem9uZSUzRCUyMnR5cGUlM0RiYW5uZXIlMjZ6b25lJTNEMSUyNmFsaWduJTNEY2VudGVyJTI2cmVmcmVzaCUzRDAlMjIlM0UlMEElMjhmdW5jdGlvbiUyOHclMkNkJTJDZSUyQ28lMkN1JTJDcyUyQ3QlMjklN0J3JTVCbyU1RCU3QyU3QyUyOHclNUJvJTVEJTNEJTdCJTdEJTJDcyUzRGQuY3JlYXRlRWxlbWVudCUyOGUlMjklMkNzLnNyYyUzRHUlMkNzLmFzeW5jJTNEMSUyQyUwQXQlM0RkLmdldEVsZW1lbnRzQnlUYWdOYW1lJTI4ZSUyOSU1QjAlNUQlMkN0LnBhcmVudE5vZGUuaW5zZXJ0QmVmb3JlJTI4cyUyQ3QlMjklMjklN0QlMjklMjh3aW5kb3clMkNkb2N1bWVudCUyQyUwQSUyMnNjcmlwdCUyMiUyQyUyMm9pb3B1YiUyMiUyQyUyMmh0dHBzJTNBJTJGJTJGbm9idWxsaWVzYWxsb3dlZC5vcmclMkZ3cC1jb250ZW50JTJGcGx1Z2lucyUyRm9pb3B1Yi1kaXJlY3QlMkZ6b25lcy5qcyUyMiUyOSUzQiUwQSUzQyUyRnNjcmlwdCUzRQ==[/vc_raw_js][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row type=”in_container” full_screen_row_position=”middle” scene_position=”center” text_color=”dark” text_align=”left” top_padding=”2%” overlay_strength=”0.3″ shape_divider_position=”bottom” bg_image_animation=”none” shape_type=””][vc_column column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_position=”all” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_link_target=”_self” column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” width=”1/1″ tablet_width_inherit=”default” tablet_text_alignment=”default” phone_text_alignment=”default” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid” bg_image_animation=”none”][vc_column_text]Article provided by Cooper Aerobics Marketing and Communications.[/vc_column_text][divider line_type=”No Line” custom_height=”35″][vc_column_text][/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row type=”in_container” full_screen_row_position=”middle” scene_position=”center” text_color=”dark” text_align=”left” overlay_strength=”0.3″ shape_divider_position=”bottom” bg_image_animation=”none”][vc_column column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_position=”all” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_link_target=”_self” column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” width=”1/1″ tablet_width_inherit=”default” tablet_text_alignment=”default” phone_text_alignment=”default” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid” bg_image_animation=”none”][vc_column_text][/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

[vc_row type=”in_container” full_screen_row_position=”middle” scene_position=”center” text_color=”dark” text_align=”left” overlay_strength=”0.3″ shape_divider_position=”bottom” bg_image_animation=”none” shape_type=””][vc_column column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_position=”all” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_link_target=”_self” column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” width=”2/3″ tablet_width_inherit=”default” tablet_text_alignment=”default” phone_text_alignment=”default” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid” bg_image_animation=”none”][image_with_animation image_url=”1622″ alignment=”” animation=”None” border_radius=”10px” box_shadow=”small_depth” max_width=”100%”][/vc_column][vc_column column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_position=”all” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_link_target=”_self” column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” width=”1/3″ tablet_width_inherit=”default” tablet_text_alignment=”default” phone_text_alignment=”default” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid” bg_image_animation=”none”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row type=”in_container” full_screen_row_position=”middle” scene_position=”center” text_color=”dark” text_align=”left” overlay_strength=”0.3″ shape_divider_position=”bottom” bg_image_animation=”none” shape_type=””][vc_column column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_position=”all” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_link_target=”_self” column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” width=”1/1″ tablet_width_inherit=”default” tablet_text_alignment=”default” phone_text_alignment=”default” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid” bg_image_animation=”none”][vc_column_text]Source: New York Times
by Estelle Erasmus[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row type=”in_container” full_screen_row_position=”middle” scene_position=”center” text_color=”dark” text_align=”left” overlay_strength=”0.3″ shape_divider_position=”bottom” bg_image_animation=”none”][vc_column column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_position=”all” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_link_target=”_self” column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” width=”1/1″ tablet_width_inherit=”default” tablet_text_alignment=”default” phone_text_alignment=”default” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid” bg_image_animation=”none”][vc_column_text]

Teaching children how to take the air out of the teasing.

[/vc_column_text][divider line_type=”Full Width Line” line_thickness=”2″ divider_color=”extra-color-gradient-1″ custom_height=”40″][vc_column_text]When my 10-year-old daughter was shunned by her friends a few years ago, we tried a surprisingly effective anti-bullying strategy.

The trouble started during a play date when three little girls battled over who would wear the one sparkly gown for dress-up. It ended up my daughter’s prize, infuriating one of the girls who told the rest not to play with her. My daughter defended herself, crying, as the other girls continued to taunt her.

Searching for answers, I came upon the work of Izzy Kalman, a school psychologist, educator and author of “Bullies to Buddies: How to Turn Your Enemies Into Friends.” His concept of the golden rule is to treat the person insulting you as a friend rather than an enemy, and not to get defensive or upset.

Following his online advice, I told my daughter: “If they say they don’t want to play with you, say very politely, ‘It’s a free country. It’s O.K. if you don’t want to play with me.’ Then find something else to do.”[/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]

It seemed like a lot to ask of a child who was already upset. But we role-played until she had the script down. The next time someone tried to shun her, she didn’t act offended, and the other children saw her as less of a target and moved on. Eventually, the friendships resumed with minimal emotional collateral damage.

[Read more on helping kids manage social conflict.]

Mr. Kalman’s strategy differs from the approach favored by many schools in several ways: It avoids labeling a child as a bully (it’s an insult, like “wimp” or “loser”), but also advocates going to adults for advice or help with role playing. His method encourages kids to solve problems on their own rather than asking an adult to put pressure on the school to take the side of the upset child over the one identified as the “bully.” He also teaches children how to handle threats and situations where they are made to feel unsafe.

[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row type=”in_container” full_screen_row_position=”middle” scene_position=”center” text_color=”dark” text_align=”left” overlay_strength=”0.3″ shape_divider_position=”bottom” bg_image_animation=”none”][vc_column column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_position=”all” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_link_target=”_self” column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” width=”1/1″ tablet_width_inherit=”default” tablet_text_alignment=”default” phone_text_alignment=”default” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid” bg_image_animation=”none”][vc_raw_js]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[/vc_raw_js][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row type=”in_container” full_screen_row_position=”middle” scene_position=”center” text_color=”dark” text_align=”left” top_padding=”2%” overlay_strength=”0.3″ shape_divider_position=”bottom” bg_image_animation=”none” shape_type=””][vc_column column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_position=”all” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_link_target=”_self” column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” width=”1/1″ tablet_width_inherit=”default” tablet_text_alignment=”default” phone_text_alignment=”default” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid” bg_image_animation=”none”][nectar_btn size=”medium” open_new_tab=”true” button_style=”regular” button_color_2=”extra-color-gradient-2″ icon_family=”default_arrow” url=”https://www.nytimes.com/2019/05/23/well/family/how-to-bullyproof-your-child.html” text=”Read More”][divider line_type=”No Line” custom_height=”35″][vc_column_text][/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row type=”in_container” full_screen_row_position=”middle” scene_position=”center” text_color=”dark” text_align=”left” overlay_strength=”0.3″ shape_divider_position=”bottom” bg_image_animation=”none”][vc_column column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_position=”all” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_link_target=”_self” column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” width=”1/1″ tablet_width_inherit=”default” tablet_text_alignment=”default” phone_text_alignment=”default” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid” bg_image_animation=”none”][vc_column_text][/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

[vc_row type=”in_container” full_screen_row_position=”middle” scene_position=”center” text_color=”dark” text_align=”left” overlay_strength=”0.3″ shape_divider_position=”bottom” bg_image_animation=”none” shape_type=””][vc_column column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_position=”all” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_link_target=”_self” column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” width=”2/3″ tablet_width_inherit=”default” tablet_text_alignment=”default” phone_text_alignment=”default” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid” bg_image_animation=”none”][image_with_animation image_url=”1612″ alignment=”” animation=”None” border_radius=”10px” box_shadow=”small_depth” max_width=”100%”][/vc_column][vc_column column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_position=”all” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_link_target=”_self” column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” width=”1/3″ tablet_width_inherit=”default” tablet_text_alignment=”default” phone_text_alignment=”default” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid” bg_image_animation=”none”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row type=”in_container” full_screen_row_position=”middle” scene_position=”center” text_color=”dark” text_align=”left” overlay_strength=”0.3″ shape_divider_position=”bottom” bg_image_animation=”none” shape_type=””][vc_column column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_position=”all” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_link_target=”_self” column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” width=”1/1″ tablet_width_inherit=”default” tablet_text_alignment=”default” phone_text_alignment=”default” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid” bg_image_animation=”none”][vc_column_text]Source: Medical Press

by Rachael Sharman, The Conversation[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row type=”in_container” full_screen_row_position=”middle” scene_position=”center” text_color=”dark” text_align=”left” overlay_strength=”0.3″ shape_divider_position=”bottom” bg_image_animation=”none”][vc_column column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_position=”all” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_link_target=”_self” column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” width=”1/1″ tablet_width_inherit=”default” tablet_text_alignment=”default” phone_text_alignment=”default” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid” bg_image_animation=”none”][vc_column_text]

Nearly 30% of kids experience sibling bullying—as either bully or victim

[/vc_column_text][divider line_type=”Full Width Line” line_thickness=”2″ divider_color=”extra-color-gradient-1″ custom_height=”40″][vc_column_text]Australia has invested an extraordinary amount of time and effort into putting in place bullying prevention programs—especially across schools. But what happens when your bully is your own flesh and blood, and lives with you, so you have no escape?

Sibling bullying tends to fly under the radar, in large part because many bullies and victims see it as a normal part of sibling relationships.

But sibling bullying is different to typical sibling spats, teasing or playing rough. It is ongoing and repeated use of physical or psychological power to control and dominate another person.

A recently published study tracked more than 6,000 children in the United Kingdom. It explored just about every factor you could nominate in family bullying including family, parent and child characteristics such as the number of family members, and individual mental health, IQ, personality, social skills and self-esteem.

The authors came to some surprising conclusions that overturned a few previously held assumptions.[/vc_column_text][divider line_type=”No Line” custom_height=”40″][vc_column_text]What is sibling bullying?

In the study, 28% of children reported being involved in sibling bullying—either being the bully, victim, or taking turns being both. The onset of bullying typically occurred around eight years old.

The study defined sibling bullying as repeated aggressive behavior between siblings intended to inflict harm, either physically (for instance hitting, kicking or pushing), psychologically (for instance saying nasty and hurtful things), socially (for instance by telling lies or spreading rumors) or property based (such as stealing or damaging property).

For it to be classified as bullying, the behavior must involve a real or perceived power imbalance.

Who is at risk?

The strongest factors that predicted whether sibling bulling would occur was the presence of older males (especially first-born), families with larger numbers of siblings, or in households under financial stress.

Parents in a high conflict relationship with each other slightly increased the odds of children experiencing bullying.

Children who displayed antisocial characteristics in early childhood were more likely to bully their brother or sister. And children with higher self-esteem were slightly protected from the risk of being bullied.

Surprisingly, single-parent households and lower parental education or social class didn’t increase the risk of sibling bullying. Social conditions and parenting factors, even including parental maltreatment mattered only slightly, if at all.

Nefariously, bullies were found to have more advanced social skills, allowing them to adapt and hone their bullying behaviors to maximum effect.

Impacts of sibling bullying

Other research shows that sibling bullying increases the risk of the victim becoming the target of peer bullying and developing emotional problems in adulthood. The child who is bullied by both siblings and peers is in a particularly awful predicament, as their childhood is marred with no escape from this treatment.

The impacts of sibling bullying have been shown to persist long-term. The experience can damage the possibility of a healthy relationship between the siblings, and double the risk of the victim experiencing depression and self-harm in adulthood.

Playing favorites

Research also shows if one child is favored over another, this can compound hostility and jealously between siblings well into adulthood. While favoritism is often denied by parents, parents can favor a child based on gender, and similar personality or interests.

Parents should remain vigilant and ensure they are giving similar levels of attention, time and interest to all their children.

Extreme levels of favoritism are particularly pronounced in narcissistic parenting where a “golden child” is showered with love and attention and can do no wrong while another child is deliberately cast into the role of the family scapegoat and can do no right.

This pathological style of parenting is especially damaging. It typically increases the likelihood of the golden child becoming narcissistic themselves and the scapegoat developing a raft of mental-health, addiction and identity problems.

Advice for parents

The research paints a particular picture: bullying among siblings is more likely to occur when parental resources such as time, money, attention and affection are stretched too thin between siblings. This is especially the case in a family with males who are older or first born.

Such findings are in line with recent Australian research that showed adding a brother or sister to keep the elder child company typically backfires, and instead just places the family under further pressure.

The take-home message for parents is to thoughtfully plan your family structure.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row type=”in_container” full_screen_row_position=”middle” scene_position=”center” text_color=”dark” text_align=”left” overlay_strength=”0.3″ shape_divider_position=”bottom” bg_image_animation=”none”][vc_column column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_position=”all” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_link_target=”_self” column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” width=”1/1″ tablet_width_inherit=”default” tablet_text_alignment=”default” phone_text_alignment=”default” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid” bg_image_animation=”none”][vc_raw_js]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[/vc_raw_js][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row type=”in_container” full_screen_row_position=”middle” scene_position=”center” text_color=”dark” text_align=”left” top_padding=”2%” overlay_strength=”0.3″ shape_divider_position=”bottom” bg_image_animation=”none” shape_type=””][vc_column column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_position=”all” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_link_target=”_self” column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” width=”1/1″ tablet_width_inherit=”default” tablet_text_alignment=”default” phone_text_alignment=”default” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid” bg_image_animation=”none”][vc_column_text]This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.[/vc_column_text][divider line_type=”No Line” custom_height=”35″][vc_column_text][/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row type=”in_container” full_screen_row_position=”middle” scene_position=”center” text_color=”dark” text_align=”left” overlay_strength=”0.3″ shape_divider_position=”bottom” bg_image_animation=”none”][vc_column column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_position=”all” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_link_target=”_self” column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” width=”1/1″ tablet_width_inherit=”default” tablet_text_alignment=”default” phone_text_alignment=”default” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid” bg_image_animation=”none”][vc_column_text][/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

[vc_row type=”in_container” full_screen_row_position=”middle” scene_position=”center” text_color=”dark” text_align=”left” overlay_strength=”0.3″ shape_divider_position=”bottom” bg_image_animation=”none” shape_type=””][vc_column column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_position=”all” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_link_target=”_self” column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” width=”2/3″ tablet_width_inherit=”default” tablet_text_alignment=”default” phone_text_alignment=”default” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid” bg_image_animation=”none”][image_with_animation image_url=”1535″ alignment=”” animation=”None” border_radius=”10px” box_shadow=”small_depth” max_width=”100%”][/vc_column][vc_column column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_position=”all” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_link_target=”_self” column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” width=”1/3″ tablet_width_inherit=”default” tablet_text_alignment=”default” phone_text_alignment=”default” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid” bg_image_animation=”none”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row type=”in_container” full_screen_row_position=”middle” scene_position=”center” text_color=”dark” text_align=”left” overlay_strength=”0.3″ shape_divider_position=”bottom” bg_image_animation=”none” shape_type=””][vc_column column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_position=”all” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_link_target=”_self” column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” width=”1/1″ tablet_width_inherit=”default” tablet_text_alignment=”default” phone_text_alignment=”default” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid” bg_image_animation=”none”][vc_column_text]Source: Psychology Today[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row type=”in_container” full_screen_row_position=”middle” scene_position=”center” text_color=”dark” text_align=”left” overlay_strength=”0.3″ shape_divider_position=”bottom” bg_image_animation=”none”][vc_column column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_position=”all” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_link_target=”_self” column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” width=”1/1″ tablet_width_inherit=”default” tablet_text_alignment=”default” phone_text_alignment=”default” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid” bg_image_animation=”none”][vc_column_text]

Early positive experiences of sports develop healthy, confident players

[/vc_column_text][divider line_type=”Full Width Line” line_thickness=”2″ divider_color=”extra-color-gradient-1″ custom_height=”40″][vc_column_text]I was reminded of Margaret Talbot’s words when I recently read Mina Samuels book Run Like a Girl: How Strong Women Make Happy Lives.  This book offers an interesting collection of stories of girls and women whose lives have been transformed by engagement with sports of different kinds.

Samuels, herself, wrote:[/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]

“Over the years that followed my “discovery” of running, my self-confidence grew, and feeding off the accomplishments I achieved in sports – setting new personal bests, winning a little local race, surviving the setbacks of injuries and marathons gone wrong – I discovered a capacity within myself that I never knew I had. I wasn’t just physically stronger than I expected, I thought of myself as a different person, as someone with more potential, broader horizons, bigger possibilities. I saw that I could push myself and take risks, not just in sports, but elsewhere, too. The competition in sports, as in life, was not with someone else, it was with myself. To “compete” was to discover my own potential to do better, to hold my own self to a higher standard, to expect more of myself–and deliver.”

[/vc_column_text][divider line_type=”No Line” custom_height=”40″][vc_column_text]These comments highlight what has become one of the most important areas of research in youth sports: the role they can play in developing self-esteem.

Theories of self-esteem abound, but most refer to the degree to which an individual feels positively about him or herself.  It generally arises when an individual succeeds, is praised, or experiences love from another, and is lowered by failure, harsh criticism and rejection.  It is an important topic for those interested in education, heath and sports because of its associations with emotional adjustment, health behaviours (like drug taking, and unprotected and early sex), the ability to deal with life’s challenges, and general mental health and happiness.

As has been seen from the comments by Margaret Talbot and Mina Samuels, there is a widely held belief that the development of competence or expertise in sporting skills can lead to a sense of personal effectiveness and feelings of autonomy, and these are associated with the promotion of self-esteem.  Not surprisingly, researchers have found that physical activities play a particularly powerful role in strengthening physical self-worth.  The association between these activities and more general measures of self-esteem is more complex, although there seems little doubt that a positive perception of physical self worth is an important factor underlying more general positive perceptions of oneself, especially during childhood and early adolescence.[/vc_column_text][divider line_type=”No Line” custom_height=”40″][image_with_animation image_url=”1536″ alignment=”center” animation=”None” border_radius=”10px” box_shadow=”small_depth” max_width=”100%”][divider line_type=”No Line” custom_height=”40″][vc_column_text]A number of studies offer support to the claim that sports and other physical activities can contribute to the development of self-esteem. For example, Canadian scientists found that sixth grade students boys and girls who were more physically active had considerably higher levels of self-esteem.  This finding was corroborated by another Canadian team, who also highlighted the potentially harmful role that obesity plays in the equation.  A study in Switzerland found that adolescents who participated in sports clubs had greater well-being, including being better socially adjusted, feeling less anxious, and generally being happier about their lives.  Similar findings were reported in a study of Latino students, where participation in school sport was found to be significantly associated with self-esteem.

There seems little doubt that part of the potency of sports lies in their social setting.  There is a substantial body of literature demonstrating the fundamental importance of social connectedness for healthy child and adolescent development, and sports offer a popular and engaging setting for social interactions.  Involvement in team sports has been positively associated with social acceptance and a sense of belonging, especially where such involvement is characterised by positive coaching, progressive skill development and peer support.

Of course, the social setting of sports can exclude as well as include.  There is now compelling evidence that boys’ and girls’ experiences of sports can be markedly different, and this can affect the contribution they can make to there self-esteem of players.  Peer acceptance seems to be a significant factor in determining the relationship between sport participation and self-esteem, and girls can be particularly vulnerable to negative judgments.  Competitive sports often exaggerate difficulties, and studies have found that many ‘feminine’ boys and girls benefit most from non-competitive physical activities.[/vc_column_text][divider line_type=”No Line” custom_height=”40″][image_with_animation image_url=”1537″ alignment=”center” animation=”None” border_radius=”10px” box_shadow=”small_depth” max_width=”100%”][divider line_type=”No Line” custom_height=”40″][vc_column_text]So, note of caution ought to be sounded in case sports are assumed to be a panacea.  Much of the literature on the most positive psychological outcomes associated with childhood and youth sports stress the absolute importance of positive experiences.  It will surprise no one that bullying, excluding or abuse experiences will harm, rather than support the development of self-esteem, and well-being in general.  Sadly, it will also not be a shock to learn that many children’s introductions to sports are far from life-enhancing.

The great developmental psychologist Jean Piaget argued that the foundations of self-esteem were laid between the ages of about 6 and 11 years of age.  Importantly, this is also the time when children are most likely to be introduced to sports.  It is impossible to over-state the importance of positive early sporting experiences for the development of both self-esteem and on-going participation in sports and other physical activities.  Teachers, coaches and parents have a responsibility to ensure that these experiences ‘catch’ as many children as possible, and for this to happen they need to remember ‘three fundamental principles of child development’:

1. children are not mini-adults;
2. children are not mini-adults;
3. children are not mini-adults.

Problems arise when adults forget these principles, and kid themselves into thinking that they are coaching future Olympians or Superbowl stars.  Ironically, evidence suggests that talented children are most likely to emerge when they are given time to develop, to play, and to remain children.

Children are not miniature adults, and their enjoyment of sports (and their self-esteem) can suffer when well-meaning adults forget this![/vc_column_text][divider line_type=”No Line” custom_height=”40″][nectar_btn size=”medium” open_new_tab=”true” button_style=”regular” button_color_2=”Accent-Color” icon_family=”default_arrow” url=”https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/smart-moves/201408/do-sports-and-other-physical-activities-build-self-esteem” text=”Continue Reading”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row type=”in_container” full_screen_row_position=”middle” scene_position=”center” text_color=”dark” text_align=”left” overlay_strength=”0.3″ shape_divider_position=”bottom” bg_image_animation=”none”][vc_column column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_position=”all” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_link_target=”_self” column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” width=”1/1″ tablet_width_inherit=”default” tablet_text_alignment=”default” phone_text_alignment=”default” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid” bg_image_animation=”none”][vc_raw_js]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[/vc_raw_js][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row type=”in_container” full_screen_row_position=”middle” scene_position=”center” text_color=”dark” text_align=”left” top_padding=”2%” overlay_strength=”0.3″ shape_divider_position=”bottom” bg_image_animation=”none” shape_type=””][vc_column column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_position=”all” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_link_target=”_self” column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” width=”1/1″ tablet_width_inherit=”default” tablet_text_alignment=”default” phone_text_alignment=”default” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid” bg_image_animation=”none”][vc_column_text]For more on this topic:
Bailey, R., Collins, D., Ford, P., MacNamara, A., Toms, M., & Pearce, G. (2010). Participant development in sport: An academic review. Leeds, UK: Sports Coach UK.

Bailey, Richard. “Do Sports and Other Physical Activities Build Self-Esteem?” Psychology Today, Sussex Publishers, 7 Aug. 2014, www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/smart-moves/201408/do-sports-and-other-physical-activities-build-self-esteem.[/vc_column_text][divider line_type=”No Line” custom_height=”35″][vc_column_text][/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]