By admin 
Do you know what the main consequences of bullying are? School is where children become citizens, but in addition to the learning experience, it is also a frequent stage for bad jokes that get out of control and affect the lives of many students.
To detect and combat bullying, and ensure healthy development for children, it is important to understand what this social problem is and its consequences. Read the post and learn more about the subject!
What is bullying?
Bullying is characterized by intentional and repetitive physical, verbal and/or psychological aggression against a person. Although it is a more common practice in schools, the situation can occur in different social contexts, such as universities, workplaces and also in the family nucleus. In fact, a child who lives in an environment of disrespect and harassment at home tends to be the aggressor, oppressing his or her peers.
It is important to pay attention that this problem does not necessarily resemble a black eye or other types of bruises. Besides, an innocent nickname can sometimes inflict irremediable harm on the victim of the insult. To understand better, see what kinds of bullying there are:
- physical — physical violence of all kinds;
- psychological — intimidation, blackmail, slander and persecution regarding religion, sexual orientation, physical appearance, etc.;
- verbal — mean nicknames, insults and humiliations;
- virtual — cyberbullying occurs as verbal and psychological attacks over the internet;
- social — when a person is constantly excluded from activities and social interactions.
What are the consequences of bullying?
It is important to note that bullying is not just “child’s play”, as it can have a serious and far-reaching impact on a person. Check out 5 reasons why you should pay attention to the signs that are manifested.
1. Aggressiveness
In addition to the problematic behavior of the offenders, the victim may always appear defensive and demonstrate symptoms of stress and aggression towards others, such as parents, teachers and classmates. Furthermore, when these unpleasant situations occur in the classroom, the teacher may have difficulty getting the students to concentrate.
Bullying causes more than just physical harm; it also creates a culture of anxiety and suffering at school, which affects the victim’s mental health and character. He is still a child or adolescent, after all, and is still growing up and learning about the world.
This can affect a person’s life in such a way that it can contribute to the development of an aggressive adult. Think of the many headlines in recent years that have reported attacks motivated by bullying .
2. Conflicts in class
Mean jokes, insults and even some types of physical aggression can happen in school and interrupt the class. In these cases, the teacher may have difficulty presenting the content and attracting the attention of the class.
The impasse must be resolved at the time it occurs and taken seriously. Otherwise, the violence may escalate, reaching levels that are even more difficult to deal with. For this reason, it is essential that the school is committed to developing educational activities about bullying, guiding students and punishing aggressors.
3. Disinterest in school and decline in performance
It is common for students who are victims of bullying to be afraid of going to school, since the attacks do not contribute to an environment conducive to learning. This situation encourages a lack of interest in school activities and tasks.
In this sense, traumatic experiences can lead to the development of a school phobia, that is, an intense fear of attending school, which can result in social inability , repeating grades due to absences, a drop in performance and even school dropout.
Bullying, therefore, is a very serious problem that should be monitored by parents, because, in addition to carrying a series of personal difficulties due to violence, the person who gives up on studies early runs the risk of losing several opportunities throughout their life.
4. Psychological disorders
Isolation, humiliation and a strong sense of fear have long-term impacts on victims of bullying. Low self-esteem, insecurity, anxiety, stress, panic attacks and depression are some examples.
On the other hand, those who bully also need attention, since the bad behavior they display may be an extension of the aggressions they suffer in a tumultuous family environment, without the presence of their parents and/or without limits. These young people are generally immature, hyperactive, distracted and have a need for self-affirmation.
5. Eating disorders
Children are bullied for absurd reasons such as wearing spectacles, being overweight or overheight, being shy, having a particular skin or hair color, or practicing a specific religion. In this situation, a lot of kids who fall prey to this social issue start to take the insults seriously and start to perceive themselves as just as harsh and judgmental as the person who is attacking them.
In other words, self-image is directly affected and this is how eating disorders begin. An example of this is when, determined to change their appearance in order to get rid of the attacks, the young person submits themselves to strict diets to lose weight, causing disorders such as bulimia and anorexia.
The development of these pathologies occurs frequently in victims of bullying and can lead to dehydration, malnutrition and death. Therefore, it is essential to be aware of this sign and others, such as the consumption of alcoholic beverages and illicit drugs.
How to detect this social problem?
Bullying often has devastating consequences for its victims, so the earlier it is detected, the better. Below are some signs that a child may show when experiencing this social problem:
- is constantly sad;
- always remains isolated;
- has worsening school grades;
- walks with a hunched posture, looking at his feet and avoiding looking at other people;
- often asks to skip classes;
- has extreme mood swings;
- appears with bruises.
- has arrogant behavior;
- does not feel empathy;
- does not regret when he does something wrong;
- gets irritated and loses control quickly;
- resorts to the use of force for any reason;
- shows great concern for appearance.
The consequences of bullying can negatively affect a person for many years. This is because the traumas of this unfortunate experience affect mental and physical health and can even be life-threatening. Therefore, it is essential to notice the first signs and react quickly to occurrences.