Bullying in Schools

Having spoken to another parent about bullying in school today got me thinking. Why is it that parents can see all sorts of ways to get children interacting at school in a less theratening ways? I am not suggesting that parents have all the answers however, nor do schools it seems.  Having read that is is law for schools to have anti bullying policies in place today and given the press and media coverage about the subject, government documents and not to mention the information on the web.  How is it that 15% of children are still suffering long term bullying of some type or other.  I found that a search of my locals schools on line did not flush out to many links to anti bullying policies.  This was a big surprise because most young people communicate online and I would have thought that it woudl make sense to put a pupil friendly anti bullying policy on the web for them to read and know what theor school will do for them if it happens.

In the UK we have gang culture which I think is a place where young people are seeking the belonging and teamwork that they are so desperately needing today.  I can't help feeling that we can do so much more.  And why is it that people are so unwilling to make stand for justice and to speak out for what is right or more importantly what is wrong?

We don't have any answers maybe but I know a man who does.  For those parents worries about bullying for their children, you may find the following links helpful.

www.kidscape.com

www.need2know.org.uk

www.parentlineplus.co.uk

www.childline.com

There comes a point with bullying at which you as a parent have to decide that it is going to stop for your child.  However, grown up your child believes that they are, there are still some situations where you have a responsibility to protect them.  If this means speaking to the school or to their teacher, and if they are trying to prevent this from happening then you need to make a stand and help them to overcome the fear of the short term pain.  Sometimes young people feel that parental intervention will heighten the bullying even more and single them out for further punishment.  However, left undone the bullying may continue for much longer with far greater consequences for the child and the family both now and later.