School bullying or bullying is a cruel reality that, in a more or less severe way, must be faced daily by schoolchildren in a large part of the educational centers around the world. In fact, the figure is more than alarming, since one in three children suffers bullying, according to the latest UN report on the matter. When dealing with this problem, parents usually do so out of concern that their children may suffer this abuse. But what if they are the ones bullying their peers? You have to remedy it immediately.
Finding out that a child is tormenting other young people can have a great shock to their parents. However, it is in his hands to identify why the child is harassing a person and reverse the situation. In order to help the victims of bullying in the fastest, most emphatic and effective way possible to avoid further suffering.
Not all minors who harass do so from an intrinsically malicious motivation. “Children engage in all sorts of behaviors that are not reflective of them as a person,” explains Dr Jamie Howard, adding: “They can be good kids who have made some mistakes.” Therefore, parents and therapists should find out why that child abuses his peers. It can be as an integration strategy, due to a demand for attention, due to a lack of empathy, due to high impulsiveness or even as a response to having been a victim of bullying. However, the very first steps are different.
In the event that there is suspicion or even certainty that a child is harassing his classmates, action must be taken immediately. The clinical psychologist Catalina Botero indicates that a conversation should be held with the children about it. First of all, you have to give her the opportunity to provide her version, that is, ask her to explain what is happening. It is important to listen from empathy to try to understand the motivations of the minor.
Next, parents have to make things clear. “Informing them that this is not a behavior that is expected of him or her” is essential, says the specialist. From there, the parents, with the supervision and guidance of qualified personnel, must start with their child a comprehensive process that allows modify this behavior.The child must understand the consequences of his actions, Botero asserts that the minor must have a clear message: “‘bullying’ will never be good, so we should not normalize it.”
