Bullying in Our Community
Name: Nastassia Sabah
Student number: 4348-296-1
Course code: HRPYC81
Assignment: 50
Unique number: 809283
Due date: 15 July 2013
Topic one – Problem in our community: Bullying
With Child Protection Week held last last week, from 27th May to 2nd June, it is concerning to hear that 57% of school-going children in South Africa say they have been bullied at school. This is according to a recent survey conducted with 3079 teens and family members between the ages of 13 and 21.The survey carried out by Pondering Panda, a consumer insights company, used information gathered through social media platform, Mxit, over a three-day period in January of this year. Of those surveyed, 57% admitted they felt they had been bullied at school. Abuse ranged from mostly verbal (52%), followed by physical (32%) and cyber (16%). Verbal abuse consisted of being teased or insulted, while physical consisted of being pushed, hit or beaten. Cyber bullying was largely through cell phones, email or social networks.
What was more alarming was that 45% said that learners at their schools brought guns, knives and other dangerous weapons to school. However, in reality, this number may be much higher, as the survey concentrated on high school and not primary school children.
The reasons for bullying are varied. While any child can become a victim of bullying, some seem more vulnerable than others. Some of these factors include: age (younger children may be picked on by older kids), race, culture or how they lool ( they may be tall, skinny, short or overweight for their age), physical characteristics (such as wearing glasses, having a speech impediment or having braces), sexual development, the way they dress, how much money they have (or dont have), or disabilities of parents.
There is a big difference between natural playful teasing and children being bullied. It is important that a child distinguishes between the two. Teasing is normall good natured fun,, its not meant to be nasty
Student number: 4348-296-1
Course code: HRPYC81
Assignment: 50
Unique number: 809283
Due date: 15 July 2013
Topic one – Problem in our community: Bullying
With Child Protection Week held last last week, from 27th May to 2nd June, it is concerning to hear that 57% of school-going children in South Africa say they have been bullied at school. This is according to a recent survey conducted with 3079 teens and family members between the ages of 13 and 21.The survey carried out by Pondering Panda, a consumer insights company, used information gathered through social media platform, Mxit, over a three-day period in January of this year. Of those surveyed, 57% admitted they felt they had been bullied at school. Abuse ranged from mostly verbal (52%), followed by physical (32%) and cyber (16%). Verbal abuse consisted of being teased or insulted, while physical consisted of being pushed, hit or beaten. Cyber bullying was largely through cell phones, email or social networks.
What was more alarming was that 45% said that learners at their schools brought guns, knives and other dangerous weapons to school. However, in reality, this number may be much higher, as the survey concentrated on high school and not primary school children.
The reasons for bullying are varied. While any child can become a victim of bullying, some seem more vulnerable than others. Some of these factors include: age (younger children may be picked on by older kids), race, culture or how they lool ( they may be tall, skinny, short or overweight for their age), physical characteristics (such as wearing glasses, having a speech impediment or having braces), sexual development, the way they dress, how much money they have (or dont have), or disabilities of parents.
There is a big difference between natural playful teasing and children being bullied. It is important that a child distinguishes between the two. Teasing is normall good natured fun,, its not meant to be nasty
References: De Vos, A.S. (2005). Programme evaluation: Research at grass roots for the social sciences and human service professions. Pretoria: Van Schaik. Kettner, P.M., Moroney, R.M., & Martin, L. L. (2008). Designing and managing programmes: An effectiveness-based approach. London: SAGE Reber, A. S., Allen, R., Reber, E. S. (1985). The Penguin Dictionary of Psychology. Harmondsworth: Penguin books. Roos, V., Lombaard, A., & Taljaard, R. (2001). Developmental interventions and evaluations. Pretoria: Verbum Publishers. Tutorial Letter 102, PYC4811. (2013). Department of Psychology. University of South Africa: Pretoria. Visser, M., & Moleka, A. G. (2012). Community Psychology in South Africa. Pretoria: Van Schaik Publishers.