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Journal of
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A National School Social Work monthly dedicated to networking of parents and teachers.
Volume VII Issue 07 Contents December 2010
Page
Editorial 02
Curbing Cyber Bullying Rekha N Mistry 03
Steps to Reduce Peer Bullying Raja P
Dr Saraswathi L 09
Therapies for Bullies and Bullied Uma L 13
Bullying – An Overview Lucy Josephine A
Dr Kalamathi A 16
Behaviourism and Bullying Radha Vallury 19
Bullying : A Psycho-social Disorder Kalaiarasi M 22
Bullying: A Social Evil Padmini M 26
Anti-bullying: Role of Parents Rani Manda 29
Can Bullying be Eradicated? Sripriya P
Dr Kalaimathi A 31

Journal of S C H O O L SOCIAL WORK
Focus: Bullying
Hony. Special Editor: Ramesh K S,
Head and Student Consellor, P G Department of Social Work
Mar Gregorios College, Mogappair, Chennai
Journal of School Social W ork,
8 (New 14), Sridevi Colony, Seventh Avenue,
Ashok Nagar, Chennai 600 083
Mobile: 98406 02325 E-mail: jssw.india@gmail.com
Note: Views expressed by the contributors are not necessarily the official view of the Journal.
December 2010 Journal of S C H O O L SOCIAL WORK December 2010 01
Editorial Can Bullies Go Scot-free?
Earth is considered as Mother in teachers between 2002 and 2005
Hindu Mythology and meant to across Dehra Dun, Mussoorie and
provide equal space and opportunity Chandigarh found that students had
to all organisms that are inter bullying experiences both on the
dependent on each other to live playground and in the classrooms.
peacefully. The human race, being The report also says, even in the age
unique has taken control over all the group of 14 to 18 years, 58.7% boys
other species and edged them out and 65.09% girls reported bullying.
with the so called sixth sense. And Forms of bullying may vary among
now, through bullying, some of us boys and girls but the news that more
want to edge out the weak, deprived than 2,300 children committed
and voiceless ones amongst us. suicide last year many of which
According to Dan Olweus, the directly attributed to bullying at
Swedish researcher, bullying can be schools, is shocking to say the least.
physical, psychological, emotional, That ‘bullying’ happens at every
social or economic independently or stage of life, at all the times and in all
in any combination. Modernity has parts of the world is not an excuse.
added a new menace in the form of But, if it happens in India with its
cyber bullying. culture of demonstrated tolerance
The largest research on violence even towards the aggressors, it is to
against children (of both sexes) be considered seriously and every
conducted in 2007 by the Ministry of effort made to nip it in the bud.
Women and Child Development, So, school social workers have to be
Government of India revealed that appointed to make schools safe for
two out of three children were children. Correcting bullies without
physically abused and every other compromising the bullied, is the real
child faced one or more forms of challenge for School Social Work.
sexual abuse. But, is bullying restricted to children
The Bullying Research Initiative in and commoners? Not so anymore.
Training and Education (BRITE) in its if WikiLeaks is to be believed, even
survey of school students and diplomats are bullies!
02 Journal of S C H O O L SOCIAL WORK December 2010
Focus Bullying : A Psycho-social Disorder
Kalaiarasi M*
*Kalaiarasi M. Assistant Professor, St. Justin’s College of Education, Madurai.
Introduction underlying factors are intentional hurt
In recent years bullying is a serious over a prolonged period against a
problem among schoolchild starting person who can’ defend.
from KG to higher secondary Signs of targets
classes. Parents, teachers and It can be difficult to find out if they
psychologists need to converge are bullied when children prefer a
and with co-ordination find ways tight-lipped silence. But, there are
and means to get rid of this evil, clear warning signs. If children return
as it spoils the normal from school with inexplicable bruises,
psychological growth of young torn clothing or if they frequently lose
generation. Bullying can put a things such as pencils, pens or
person in a state of constant fear. geometry boxes parents must try to
Studies show that people who are find out the reason in a friendly, non-
abused by their peers are at risk threatening manner. If they are
for mental health problems such tense, anxious, or refuse food or toss
as low self-esteem, stress, longer before sleeping and if they
depression or anxiety. They may lose interest in activities which they
also resort to running away or usually enjoy, then it is time the
suicide. parents make a visit to the school to
The hurt factor find out what worries the child. When
When friendly teasing turns hurtful, children seem moodier or more
unkind and constant, it crosses easily upset than usual, or when
the line of decency and enters into they start avoiding certain
the ugly land of bullying. Physical situations, like taking bus to school,
assaults, psychological hurts, social it might be because of the fear of a
ostracism, cruel instant or email bully lurking there to harm them. The
messages or posting insults about unfortunate victims are so tense and
a person on a website are some of anxious that they avoid certain routes
the known forms of bullying. The and prefer to walk around even if it
22 Journal of S C H O O L SOCIAL WORK December 2010
adds more distance, time and
inconvenience to them. Some of
these children are so terrified that
they are jumpy, react in a defensive
manner and appear crest-fallen with
head hung down and eyes
delberately avoiding contact. They
may even ‘bribe’ the bullies to ‘buy’
freedom and peace.
Characteristics of bullies
Victims are silent because of fear of
retaliation in stronger measure.
Other children maintain secrecy due
to misguided loyalty to the bully or
fear of becoming a target
themselves. Sometimes the
pleasure of watching the torments
also renders them silent. Even then
a trained person can easily identify a
bully. They are loud, boisterous and
always walk jauntily as though they
own the place. They will be
surrounded by twoaor three children
who would not mind ‘helping’ them
in their homework. If in a classroom
childen look in a particular direction
before doing what the teacher says,
the bully is probably there directing
them with his looks or signs. Bullies
like to dominate others and are
generally selfish. They often have
poor social skills and poor social
Journal of S C H O O L SOCIAL WORK
judgment. They have no feelings
of empathy or caring toward other
people. They put other people
down to make themselves feel
more powerful. Bullies can be
outgoing or may appear reserved
on the surface, but will try to
manipulate people in subtle,
deceptive ways, like anonymously
starting a damaging rumour just
to see what happens.
Why kids bully?
Children bully for a variety of
reasons. Sometimes they pick on
kids because they need a victim-
someone who seems physically
weaker, or just acts or appears
different in some way - to feel
more important, popular, or in
control. All of us have to deal with
a lot of difficult situations and
emotions. For some people, when
they are feeling stressed, angry,
or frustrated, picking on someone
else can be a quick escape - it
takes the attention away from
them and their problems. Some
bullies learn it from firsthand
experience. Perhaps name-calling,
putdowns, or physical force are
the norms in their families. And
some bullies act that way because
December 2010 23
they have been hurt by bullies in
the past maybe even a bullying
figure in their own family, like a
parent or other adult. Some bullies
actually have personality disorders
which prevent understanding the
normal social emotions like guilt,
empathy, compassion, or remorse.
The reasons however don’t justify
their bullying.
Understanding bullying
behaviour
Some bully because they feel
insecure. Some don’t know that
it’s unacceptable. They don’t know
to cooperate with others or don’t
want to. Some children imitate the
behaviour they see at home or in
media. Kids who are exposed to
aggressive and unkind interactions
in the family often learn to treat
others the same way. These people
need help from mental health
professionals. Counselling can help
them learn to deal with their
feelings, curb their bullying, and
improve their social skills.
Key to kids
àAvoid the bully and use the
buddy system.
àHold the anger.
à Act brave, walk away, and
24 Journal of S C H O O L SOCIAL WORK
ignore the bully.
àTell an adult.
àDon’t get physical ( don’t use
physical force like kicking, hitting,
or pushing)
àPractice confidence- Practice
feeling good about yourself.
àGain confidence by improving
your skills in something like chess,
art, music, computers, or writing.
àTalk about it with friends and
get their support. Talk to a
guidance counsellor, teacher, or
friend.
à Find your friends. Find one
or two true friends and confide how
the gossip has hurt your feelings.
Key to parents
àTeach Kids to treat others with
respect and kindness.
àLearn about child’s social life.
àEncourage good behaviour.
àSet a good example.
àTake bullying seriously
It’s important to keep parent’s own
behaviour in check too. Watch how
you talk to your children, and how
you react to your own strong
emotions when they’re around. If
you are not pleased with your
child’s behaviour, stress that it’s
the behaviour that you’d like your
December 2010
child to change, and you have school. The results from the
confidence that he can do it. questionnaire can be used to
Stopping bullying in schools conduct a bullying – awareness
àCounselling to bullies in schools campaign.
helps to combat bullying. Another In class strategies
way to combat bullying is to start Teachers can work with students
anti-violence programme in at the class level to develop rules
schools. against bullying. Teach bullies
àTeach students to treat others alternative methods of interaction,
with respect and kindness. Teach implement cooperative learning
the child that it is wrong to ridicule activities to reduce social isolation.
differences (race, religion, An effective strategy to reduce
appearance, special needs, bullying is to create a clearly stated
gender or economic status). policy that defines bullying, outlines
àBring students, teachers, and how teachers and school staff
school professionals to address should act and how incidents are
the issue of bullying, explore the to be dealt with after they occur.
effect of bullying on the school Conclusion
atmosphere. Bullying must be prevented from
àDistribute a questionnaire that rearing its ugly head by the concerted
asks students, parents, and efforts of all the stakeholders,
teachers to describe any bullying namely, parents, teachers,
that they are aware of in their administration and counsellors.
References:
Susan M et al (2009): Bullying Prevention and Intervention: Realistic Strategies
for Schools (The Guilford Practical Intervention in Schools Series), The Guilford
Press, Newyork. NY-10012
Stan Davis, Julia Davis (2007): Schools Where Everyone Belong: Practical
Strategies for Reducing Bullying, Routledge, New York, NY-10016
Shaheen Shariff (2008): Cyber-Bullying: Issues and Solutions for the School, the
Classroom and the Home, Routledge, New York, NY-10016
Shaheen Shariff (2009): Confronting Cyber-Bullying: What Schools Need to Know
to Control Misconduct and Avoid Legal Consequences, Cambridge University
Press, New York.
Journal of S C H O O L SOCIAL WORK December 2010 25 Journal of S C H O O L SOCIAL WORK December 2010