Unfortunately, bullying is something many of us have had to deal with at one time or another. When I was in high school, I don’t remember it being as bad as it is todaym probably because we didn’t have social media. Today, kids are being bullied on Facebook, snap chat, instagram, text, the list goes on and on.
In Hernando County, many of our children are being bulled at school, which leads to low self-worth and anxiety. Why do kids bully? We know behaviors are learned. Many children model their parents, their grandparents and their siblings. If respect and integrity are not modeled in the home, kids learn to dominate and intimidate in order to gain respect. This type of thinking is what I refer to is “external power” where we feel if we humiliate others, we gain admiration. Yet, humiliating others is anything but admirable. Others bully to fit in hoping to command respect among their peers. Very sad…
It has been my experience as a therapist in Hernando County that parents have felt their calls to school regarding concerns about their child feeling bullied have fallen on deaf ears. Even though most of our schools have officers who are on staff, bullying has not been stopped.
Years ago, I was heavily involved in a bullying case involving one of my clients who was in fear for her life. The parents had been to the school countless times and nothing was working to stop it. I felt it was my responsibility as a licensed professional and an advocate for my client to get involved. I went to people such as the County Commissioner, the school board, and even the Hernando County Sheriff’s Department. I refused to stop until I got to the name of someone who could get the situation under control. Once I did, aftermseveral phone calls and trips around the county, the bullying stopped.
If your child is being bullied, I would be happy to meet with him or her. Our children have a right to be educated without feeling threatened.
Next month I will blog about blended families. If you have a suggestion for a future topic, please e-mail me at hernandocountytherapy.com.
