Understanding Bullying

• Physical bullying
  Pushing, shoving, hitting, tripping and other acts which physically harm another person.
  
  
• Verbal bullying
  Insults, harassment, taunts and other forms of aggression (expressed verbally or in writing).
  
  
• Emotional intimidation or "relational aggression"Withdrawing friendship or rejecting someone in order to assert control over that person.
  
  
• Racial bullying
  Mocking racial traditions, spray painting racist graffiti, making racial slurs and engaging in other racist behaviors.
  
  
• Sexual bullying
  Making sexual comments or engaging in unwanted sexual touching).
  
  

Boys tend to partake in physical forms of bullying—punching, hitting, tripping and kicking—whereas girls resort to what experts consider relational aggression—gossiping, excluding and withdrawing friendship to manipulate others.

There's no denying the negative results of bullying—children who are bullied often experience depression, anxiety and other psychological difficulties. They are more likely to miss school, and tend to be more susceptible to peer pressure than other children their age.

The effects of bullying don't stop there—bullying can hurt children other than the victim, as well. Studies have shown that kids who witness bullying may be afraid to go to school, too. They worry that a minor mistake may make them the bully's focus. Or they may start bullying themselves, figuring that siding with the aggressor will keep them safer.

Even the bullies have some collateral damage. If they get away with their negative behaviors, they only know unhealthy ways to relate to other people—something that can create a lifetime of relationship problems.