Bullying affects children and adults

THERE is a mythical view that bullying affects the lives and psyche of children ONLY; this is far from the truth. Let me start by stating that bullying means one person, or group of persons, being deliberately cruel to another individual and/or group for any given reason.

However, over the years conversations regarding bullying have focused solely on children because they are identified easily and their actions are far more visible. Adult bullies are also very much alive and well, very crafty and also engage in their bullying actions in a subtle manner. Research has shown that well-established bullies become professionals at their bullying tactics which they have been practising from their formative years. Some work well concealing their tactics behind various masks of authority, superior knowledge, money and any other type of characteristic that exude power and self-inflation.

In her recent research on bullying, Jaana Juvonen, Prof of Development Psychology at the University of California, Los Angeles, alluded to the fact that bigger, stronger children create a social hierarchy, and appoint themselves as leaders.

She added “the bullies are clearly in charge, gaining power and status that translate into a big time boost.” In the pockets of bullying you’d find insecurity, low self-esteem and self-confidence and possibly child abuse all of which equate to having power over others.

Unfortunately, all bullies are equipped with one common objective which is to hurt others. A few IWRN clients are now receiving specialised counselling as a result of the psychological impairment now affecting them due to years of bullying masked by domestic violence.

Victims of bullying describe it as a harrowing experience that affects every being of their co-existence, to the extent, that they sometimes feel suicidal. Quite a lot of research has been conducted and continues to be undertaken to unearth what motivates and/ or influences an individual whether child or adult to bully others, but the real answer is still forthcoming.

However, while the research gets deeper, there are some common causes that contribute to bullying.

A dysfunctional family environment does not give the assurance that a child raised in such an environment would become a bully, but research has shown that a large percentage of bullies were starved of affection and therefore, bullying is their means of response.

Children and adults who tend to exert force and aggression on others need to be in control, and so, enjoy their ability to subdue others.

Bullies by nature do not care, neither do they respect the feelings of others, as they lack empathy and enjoy inflicting pain on others.

Bullying is a serious global issue which must be addressed NOW...Join the team of leading professionals from Trinidad and Tobago, United States of America and the United Kingdom on January 26, 2017 at the conference “The Power Within: Love your body, love you” as we attempt to find answers not only to bullying, but to a myriad of issues that impact the well-being of others.

Book your space at 638-1083, 268-6078 and 684-6982.

To obtain a copy of the book With Women in Mind call 283-0318 or 795- 9531.

Sandrine Rattan is a communications and branding consultant, author and president of the International Women’s Resource Network (IWRN) Contact: thecorporatesuitett@ gmail.

com or intlwomensresourcenetwork@ gmail.com