Posted: March 23rd, 2023

Bullying in Middle Childhood

Bullying in Middle childhood and victimization are serious issues that threaten to jeopardize a child’s socio-emotional development. Bullying refers to conscious, reiterated acts of verbal, physical, and relational aggression that result in the victim’s discomfort or injury. In the popular and unpopular children system, bullies fit in the popular system and choose their targets well. Victims of bullying are usually “different” and unpopular and are less likely to be protected by their peers.

The style in which bullying is dealt with today differs from the yesteryears. In the past, it was seen as a normal phase of childhood. Therefore, the parents, as well as teachers and adults, were reluctant in curbing the maladaptive behavior, which is a fact that caused a wide range of psychological and developmental issues to the victims. Today, it is seen as a form of maladaptive behavior that is widely unacceptable. It has also altered the manner in which it occurs in that it does not necessarily occur through face-to-face interactions but can be enhanced by technological advancements. This behavior has become more difficult to address, and parents, as well as teachers, have joined hands in their attempt to curb it.

Studies have shown that victims of bullying and bullies develop a wide range of issues later in life (Papalia et al., 2014). Pupils bullied between grades six and ten are likelier to have a felonious conviction before they reach thirty. They are also five times more likely to have a serious offense record in their adult life than the victims. In fact, even those who do not end up between the bars and acquire themselves white-collar jobs become the main source of problems to their colleagues at work.

References

Papalia, D. E., Martorell, G., & Feldman, R. D. (2014). A child’s world: Infancy through adolescence.