Social Bullying in Middle School
The middle schools years are the worst for most anyone out there. Physically the body goes through many changes as the child enters the teen years. These changes are new and can be a little scary for both males and females.
Psychologically, it is during this period where friendships become most important in the life of the child and parents begin to take a back seat to these new relationships. Seeking independence becomes a great issue. As a result, everything learned from those in authority are forgotten and what is important is what the peer group does and says. Puberty can have a great and lasting affect upon children as they begin to grow up.
Carl Pickhardt, Ph.D recently wrote the book "Why Good Kids Act Cruel" as a learning tool for parents who have children currently at the middle school age. He discusses the five types of social cruelty such as teasing, exclusion, bullying, rumoring, and ganging up on others. Also, why some children do poorly in school and that social safety becomes the main focus as they strive for independence.
When one feels their social safety is endangered, they will let their grades slip by the way side to keep that safety net in tact. A child who does not feel socially safe will not learn in that sort of environment. It is impossible to learn effectively when bullies abuse and torment them at every turn. Not all children are targeted, however, all are aware of what is going on and many times, despite the abuse being wrong, they will participate so they are not suffering socially. So yes, good kids can turn bad within a blink of an eye as a means of survival. Much of this is done away from authority and when this social abuse is brought to anyone in that position, that particular child is known as a “rat” or “snitch.”
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