Bullying
Bullying among children is understood as repeated, negative acts committed by one or more children against another. ... Bullying used to be considered a part of growing up - unpleasant but unavoidable. The law now recognizes that bullying at school can cause immense harm and unhappiness. Bullying among primary school age children has become recognized as an antecedent to more violent behavior in later grades. Not only does bullying harm both its intended victims and the perpetrators, it also may affect the climate of schools and, indirectly, the ability of all students to learn to the best of their abilities. Victims of bullying are often rejected by their peers, and are at risk for depression, dropping out of school, poor self-esteem, and other mental health problems, including schizophrenia. ... Seventy-four percent of 8- to 11-year-olds say teasing and bullying occur at their school, more than smoking or drinking or drugs or sex. ... And both age groups called the teasing and bullying "big problems" that rank higher than racism, AIDS, the pressure to have sex or to try alcohol or drugs . The following is a list of facts based on the current research about bullying : 80% of adolescents reported being bullied during their school years 90% of 4th through 8th graders report being victims 15% of students bully regularly or are victims of bullies Up to 7% of 8th grade students stay home at least once a month because of bullies Bullies identified by age eight are six times more likely to be convicted of a crime by age twenty-four and five times more likely that non-bullies to end up with serious criminal records by the age of thirty. Students reported that 71% of the teachers or other adults in the classroom ignored bullying incidents. ... For this study, researchers defined bullying as a type of behavior intended to harm or disturb the victim.