When Bullies Strike

Have you ever had to deal with a bully? It's a frightening experience. In fact, it can be downright traumatic. It creates so much unnecessary stress. It is not always about what actually happens. More often, the stress is caused by the fear of not knowing what will happen and the victim spends his or her days feeling anxious and insecure.

A bully feels a need to intimidate other people. They prey on those who are shy or insecure. Children who are victimized, battle to cope with the demanding pressures at school. The bully constantly interrupts their social and academic life and the victim finds it difficult to make any progress.

The bully usually intimidates others through teasing, criticizing, spreading lies, insulting, and demanding certain things from the victims. Another way of bullying others is done through cyber-bullying. Bullies take full advantage of technology day and night. They bully via cell phones, texting menacing messages or leaving frightening voice mail messages for their victims. They use the internet and bully through emails, chat rooms and social networks.

Children cannot solve this problem on their own. Many of them become silent victims because they believe they have nowhere to go for support. They are either frightened or embarrassed to talk about the problem. Most of the time, the bullies convince them that if they talk, things will only get worse. Unfortunately, many victims adhere to these threats and continue to suffer in silence.

Bullying is one of growing dimensions. Once identified, parents and teachers should work together to help the bully and the victim. Many books and magazine or Internet articles that deal with bullying are available to parents and teachers. Getting help from qualified counselors may also be necessary in severe cases.

It is important to reiterate, children cannot solve this problem on their own. Ignoring the problem will not make it disappear. If the problem isn't dealt with during childhood, it may continue into adulthood with dire consequences.

Parents and teachers need to teach children that throughout life everyone has to make refinements in the way they treat other people. The best way to teach this is through example.