Sticks and Stones

Bullying is not a new phenomena; we all have seen bullies, known bullies or have been bullied at some point in our lives.  There are bullies of all ages in this world!  Does that make it okay....NO WAY!!  The video above is a reminder of how bullying is still around!!

What is new is the technology we now use and the way it's being used to bully children.  Bullying is in our child's school, on their computer, on their cellphone!!  There is no escaping bullying...in years gone by one could walk away from the bully and not allow a bully access to our lives 24/7!  Not so today.  Now, in no way am I saying technology is bad...it was a lifesaver while I was doing graduate work, provides unlimited research opportunities, keeps me connected to family and friends and my list can go on and on.

My request is simple...we need to be aware of what is going on in the lives of our children, grandchildren, students...the lives of the children around us.  It's important we provide them with an outlet...someone they can go to, talk with and give them knowledge on actions they can take when faced with any bullying situation!

How Frequently Does Bullying Occur?
There are different estimates of how often children are bullied or engage in bullying:

• According to the American Medical Association, 3.7 million youths engage in bullying, and more than 3.2 million are victims of “moderate” or “serious” bullying each year (Cohn & Canter, 2003).
• Some studies have shown that between 15 and 25 percent of U.S. students are frequently bullied; 15 to 20 percent report that they bully others frequently (Nansel et al., 2001; Melton et al., 1998; Geffner, Loring, & Young, 2001).
• Over the course of a year, nearly one-fourth of students across grades reported that they had been harassed or bullied on school property because of their race, ethnicity, gender, religion, sexual orientation, or disability (Austin, Huh-Kim, Skage, & Furlong, 2002).
• Almost 30 percent of youth in the United States (or over 5.7 million) are estimated to be involved in bullying as either a bully, a target of bullying, or both. In a national survey of students in grades 6 to 10, 13 percent reported bullying others, 11 percent reported being the target of bullies, and another 6 percent said that they bullied others and were bullied themselves (Nansel et al., 2001).
• Seventy-four percent of eight- to eleven-year-old students said teasing and bullying occur at their schools (Kaiser Family Foundation & Nickelodeon, 2001).
• Every seven minutes, a child on an elementary playground is bullied (Pepler, Craig, & Roberts, 1998).

When and Where Does Bullying Usually Occur?

• It occurs at early ages and in all grades, with an onset between three and four years of age (Byrne, 1994a, 1994b).
• In the United States, it increases for boys and girls during late elementary years, peaks during the middle school years, and decreases in high school (Hoover, Oliver, & Hazler, 1992; Banks, 1997; Garrett, 2003).
• Physical severity may decrease with age (Sharp & Smith, 1994).
• At the start of the school year, bullies begin looking for easy targets.
• It occurs two to three times more often at school than on the trip to and from school (Olweus, 1995).
• It is most likely to occur where there is no adult supervision, inadequate adult supervision, poor supervision, a lack of structure, and few or no anti-bullying rules; it is also more likely to occur where teachers and students accept bullying or are indifferent to it (Beane, 2008).
• It occurs virtually everywhere: in homes, nursery schools, preschools, elementary schools, middle schools, high schools, neighborhoods, churches, city parks, on the trip to and from school, on the streets, and in the workplace, for example. It occurs in large cities and small towns, large schools and small schools—and even one-room schools in other countries (Olweus, 1995).
• It occurs mainly in hidden areas and areas lacking adult supervision: halls, stairwells, the playground, areas where students take brief breaks, between buildings, restrooms, locker rooms, the cafeteria, on buses, and parking lots; it occurs when students are walking to and from school, but also in classrooms

http://www.cyberbullying.us/index.php
http://www.olweus.org/public/bullying.page
http://www.stopbullying.gov/
http://www.education.com/topic/school-bullying-teasing/http://www.bullying.org/http://www.bullyfree.com/free-resources/facts-about-bullying



Download a free e-Book on bullying

Because I Care.....

You know how on Facebook we all find "likes" for a cause or activity and we add it to our posts or profiles?  Well, a friend of mine had one on her page this week for a cause and I am so glad she shared it.  It was a "like" for a link to "Start Seeing Motorcycles" http://www.causes.com/causes/273418-start-seeing-motorcycles.  So I ventured over to the site to see what it was.

As I manuevered through the link, I came upon some information near and dear to my heart.  You see, I ride a motorcycle, my husband rides a motorcycle and many of our friends ride motorcycles.  We've experienced a wreck on our motorcycle and we have several friends who've had wrecks on their motorcycles.  Careless you may think....no, not at all.  Most people who ride a motorcycle are overly cautious and very careful so everyone is safe...looking out for those driving around them who may not be as cautious or careful!!  When you ride a motorcycle, the only protection you have is your windshield, your helmet, your apparel and your reaction time!!!  No doors, no big bumpers, no heavy frame...nada.

Since Spring has Sprung, there will be more and more motorcycles on the roads in the days and weeks to come.  So I have a request...please remind everyone you know to "start seeing motorcycles".  I've included information I found on the link I referred to earlier.  Never hurts to share information...it keeps all of us safe out there on the road!!!  Thanks for reading the information and for helping out!!

Please Start Seeing Motorcycles:
There are over 11 million motorcycles registered in the United States and the number continues to grow each year.

•Be aware when making left turns: Most motorcycle accidents occur at intersections, watch for motorcycle riders when making a left turn.

•Cell phones: Be aware that cell phone usage can distract from driving properly and pose a threat to everyone’s safety on the road.

•Blind spots: check blind spots at all times, as motorcyclists are often out of view when cars attempt to make lane changes.

•Weather: When the road is wet or icy, it makes it more difficult for motorcycles to brake and handle their bike, be respectful and give them some space.

•Obscured visibility: Large vehicles such as buses, trucks and vans can make a motorcyclist appear to come out of nowhere. Be aware of the driver’s view from the vehicle.

•Strong winds: Be prepared at all times for a strong gust of wind that can move a motorcyclist unexpectedly into a different lane. This is something that they can sometimes not control.

•Road Conditions: Potholes, obstructions and other items in the street aren’t always a serious concern for drivers, but can cause serious concerns to motorcyclists and may require lane changes or a decrease in speed. Give them as much or more room as a car may need.

•Parked Vehicles: Look for motorcyclists before you open a door, and tell other passengers to do the same.

On behalf of all of us who ride....Thank You!!!!