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Parentline Scotland
Parentline Scotland is a free, confidential helpline for parents concerned with a wide range of issues, including bullying.ParentLine Scotland is open: Monday, Wednesday & Friday 9am - 5pm and Tuesday & Thursday9am - 9pm. Call 0808 800 22 22
| Myths and facts |
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There are many myths and different perceptions about bullying that can shape peoples attitudes and behaviours towards bullying situations. This section aims to separate the facts from the myths, so that you feel more confident and comfortable in addressing bullying issues. It is every child’s right not to be bullied and it is every adult’s responsibility to protect and keep them safe from bullying. Myth- Bullying is a normal part of growing up Bullying is not a normal part of growing up and it is not part of any character building process. Adults do not expect to be verbally or physically abused when they go to work and children and young people have the same right to be free from bullying and feel safe in their environment. Bullying can have a serious impact on children and young people’s mental health and well-being. This can result in depression, low-self esteem, self-harm, truancy from school and in extreme cases suicide. Dismissing these impacts and effects allows bullying behaviour to continue and facilitates an environment where children and young people will not feel comfortable to come forward and seek help. Myth - People bring bullying on themselves because of their behaviour. No one deserves to be bullied and no one brings it upon themselves. Children and young people have the right to be themselves, to wear the clothes they feel comfortable in, to form their own opinions and be who they are be without fear of being harassed and bullied. Differences are what make life interesting and these differences should be respected. As adults, we all have a responsibility to ensure that we are sending this message loud and clear. We can all be aware of our own thoughts and behaviour and lead by example, role modelling acceptable thoughts and behaviour. Myth - Only weak people are bullied Of course this is not true. Anyone can be the target of bullies, for a variety of different reasons. Children and young people may be perceived as physically or emotionally weaker because they don’t like playing particular sports, they have an unassuming personality or because of their physical stature. None of these things mean that a person is weak, bullies tend pick on people they feel they may have power over. Myth - Bullying only takes place at school – teachers should deal with it. Bullying is a wider problem within society and can take place anywhere that children and young people come together. This can include football practice, Girl Guides, Scouts, local youth club, parks and local transport. Tackling the problem of bullying within schools and our communities should be a joint responsibility, using everyone’s expertise – including that of children and young people - to achieve a shared vision of how the problem should be solved. Myth - Bullying is only physical in nature. Physical acts such as hitting, kicking and pushing is bullying but bullying can also take many different forms. This can include:
Myth- Bullied people just need to stand up for themselves and hit back. Hitting back can increase the risk of serious physical harm and in fact make the bullying worse. Remember, not all bullying is physical - it can be verbal, emotional and social. Children should be encouraged to sort out conflict without being aggressive. |