community impact on child development: A Guide for parent’s of bullied children
The Importance of Community Support for Children Growing Up: A Guide for Parents of Bullied Children
Growing up can be challenging, especially when our children confront the harsh reality of social and physical bullying. As parents ourselves, we deeply understand the significance of your child's safety and well-being, which is why it remains one of our utmost concerns. Our own children have encountered various forms of bullying, ranging from physical to cyberbullying; these behaviors show no bias. It's crucial to recognize that you and your child are not alone in this journey.
In a comprehensive study conducted by the Department of Education and Early Childhood Development, it was found that an alarming 52% of children had experienced some form of bullying in their lifetime, highlighting the ubiquity and severity of this problem (Department of Education and Early Childhood Development, 2013).
Frequently it can be difficult for any parent to provide all the support your child needs on your own and preventing bullying becomes increasingly difficult in middle school and beyond.
Despite since efforts, many anti-bullying campaigns in high schools remain ineffective due to their inability to address the complexities of the problem, like the social dynamics and the hidden nature of bullying, which often occurs out of adults' sight (Smith et al., 2020). That is why having a community that you can rely on is crucial in helping your child navigate through the difficulties of school culture and how to manage themselves when bullying occurs.
In this blog post, we'll explore the significance of community support and how it can positively impact your child's growth and development, reduce violence in schools, and work effectively in stopping bullying behaviors.
Effective Strategies in Stopping Bullying: Shaan Saar Krav Maga's Hub of Community Support for Parents and Children
Communities provide a sense of belonging and can make a significant impact in the lives of children who are being bullied (McMillan & Chavis, 1986). In today's hyper-connected world, one would think finding like-minded communities would be a simple task. However, the very technology that connects us can also contribute to feelings of isolation and disconnection.
Online communities are simply not enough to meet social emotional needs. Besides, the vastness of the internet can be overwhelming, making it challenging to locate communities that truly resonate with our own values and concerns. The anonymity and lack of physical interaction online can also foster an environment of insincerity and superficiality, which can further fuel disconnect in our children.
What to do when your child experiences bullying behavior: Belonging to a community creates a sense of comfort and security for students.
Communities like the one at Shaan Saar Krav Maga Orlando (partnered with the Rosen JCC) provides a space where they can express themselves without fear of rejection or judgement.
Having a group of peers who share common interests, goals and experiences can help children feel more connected and included in their community. This sense of belonging is especially important for children who have been bullied, as it can help alleviate feelings of isolation, loneliness, and improving mental health.
Children who grow up with community support can benefit from a buffer against various forms of violence and abuse. According to research conducted by Coulton, Crampton, Irwin, Spilsbury, and Korbin (2007), community characteristics significantly influence the levels of child maltreatment.
Assertive communication, seeking assistance from a trusted adult, processing the experience, and maintaining strong social connections within a community are consequential strategies to employ when your child experiences bullying.
At Shaan Saar Krav Maga, we provide resources like adult discussion groups, as well as workshops and classes specifically designed to to help children build self-esteem and resilience. Parent's are encouraged to become involved in the community with their children and talk about monthly mental health, and self advocacy with school administrators and other kids.
Clearly there is dire need for community involvement in the rearing of children and the foundation impacts long term safety and overall wellness.
The community at Shaan Saar Krav Maga provides support both inside and outside of class. Our environment within the Rosen JCC, Orlando's Jewish Community Center provides a home away from home for every member of the family with recreational, social, and fitness opportunities.
With qualified, caring, and invested instructors Shaan Saar Krav Maga is here to make a positive impact on your child's well being.
Community creates positive role models for self advocacy
Having healthy role models play a crucial role in fostering children's self-efficacy, which in turn can make them less susceptible to victimization. Children often look up to adults and peers within their community who embody the qualities they aspire to possess.
Shaan Saar Krav Maga role models demonstrate the importance of standing up for oneself and others, and navigating through adversities with grace and determination.
Having positive role models outside of the immediate family for self-advocacy significantly contribute to combating bullying by inspiring and empowering children to stand up against such behavior. Relatable instructors at Shaan Saar Krav Maga Orlando teach children through social coaching and self defense class concepts, how to assert their rights effectively and respectfully, and foster a sense of self-confidence that can deter bullies and create a safer environment.
According to Bandura's Social Learning Theory (Bandura, 1977), children learn by observing others, especially those they admire. When they see role models effectively managing challenging situations, they are likely to mimic these behaviors and develop a belief in their own capabilities to handle similar situations. This enhances their self-efficacy, a key factor in resilience against bullying (Scarpaci, 2006).
Admirable Role Models that Resonate with Young People
Facilitators who serve as not only positive but relatable role models is a key element in social coaching and violence prevention programs. Embodying the traits that young people find desirable makes them more likely to want to adopt empathy, respect, ethics, and resilience.
Shaan Saar Krav Maga provides a platform for young people to learn from experienced, qualified instructors, who inspire them. Our classroom environment encourages children to take ownership of their decisions and become self-confident in their abilities.
Ultimately, this builds a strong foundation of positive traits which can help them young people stand up against bullying and dating violence.
What Is the Real ProbLem with a “Boys will be Boys” Attitude?
There are no excuses. Report bullying!
A community that perpetuates the "boys will be boys" attitude inadvertently reinforces overtly aggressive conduct. While aggression in adolescent males is a very normal behavior, due to hormonal shifts, it is necessary to provide productive physical outlets and differentiate from behaviors which can result in negative social consequences.
The statement that boys will be boys reinforces that bullying is an expected or acceptable part of a child's development, particularly for boys, thereby undermining efforts to address and prevent these damaging behaviors. This reinforcement does not contribute to stopping bullying or violence in schools. It also fails to hold students accountable for their actions, exacerbating feelings of isolation and loneliness often associated with being bullied.
In fact, unaddressed bullying and isolation have been identified as significant contributors to instances of mass shootings and violence in schools.
Katsiyannis, Whitford, and Ennis (2018) suggest that perpetrators often experienced severe social exclusion and were victims of bullying, which led to feelings of resentment and desire for vengeance, ultimately culminating in violent acts. According to Turvey, (2012) these revenge-oriented killers have historical patterns of social isolation and experience bullying during their adolescence.
When a cohesive community acknowledges the seriousness of bullying and provides support to both victims and the offenders, it can help reduce the stigma that surrounds bullying.
Through social emotional and violence prevention education communities can make a realistic effort on reducing violence in schools, stopping bullying behaviors, and providing necessary physical and emotional outlets for all parties.
Resources For Peer Support
Communities serve as rich resources, instrumental in supporting victims of bullying. Peer support, in particular, can provide a much-needed sense of validation and solidarity to those who have been bullied. When these support networks are fostered in a community setting, peers can collectively share vetted resources such as anti-bullying programs, counseling services, and educational materials.
This collaborative sharing of resources provided at Shaan Saar Krav Maga and the Rosen JCC ensures that the support offered is wide-ranging and tailored to the unique needs of your student.
It is important to note the value of first-hand experiences within peer networks.
Families who have previously been victims of bullying can provide practical advice and coping strategies, drawn from their personal experiences both in person and via our private online server. Community connection helps impart a sense of hope, cultivates empathy, destigmatizes the experience of being bullied, and helps create a strong sense of personal value in our children.
Shaan Saar Krav Maga provides evidence based resources for your child to prevent bullying, learning how-to manage aggressive behavior with peers, and self advocating with school staff.
Significance of Community for Adolescents
Within a supportive community of peers, adolescents have the opportunity to access resources that can help them navigate through challenges such as dating violence and other violence in schools. During class time students at Shaan Saar Krav Maga dissect actual events which helps to process situations and act accordingly in the future.
Parent's are given talking points about monthly topics in our social coaching and self defense classes and encouraged to communicate with their children
Open and proactive communication between parents and adolescents is instrumental in preventing bullying, violence, and victimization,
as it fosters a sense of trust, encourages the sharing of experiences, and facilitates the early identification and resolution of harmful situations.
According to Foshee et al. (2018), programs that focus on teaching students about healthy relationships can reduce the prevalence of dating violence.
Positive peer communication plays a pivotal role in making adolescents aware of the signs and repercussions of dating violence and school fights. Through open and constructive conversations, peers can share experiences, increase mutual understanding of acceptable behavior, and encourage proactive measures to prevent harmful future behaviors.
While self-defense classes serve as an effective tool for physical protection, they alone cannot holistically address the complex issues of school fights or dating violence,
since these issues often stem from social, psychological, and emotional factors that require comprehensive community-based interventions such as those provided by Shaan Saar and The Rosen JCC.
It is also important to note that interventions are tailored to different genders and ages, as needs of adolescents and children in terms of violence prevention and self defense are not always the same. What can prevent bullying among high school students is different than adult environments, and the response to adult violent incidents would not necessarily be the most effective form of management in children's self defense classes.
Combatting Violence in Schools: Community Strategies and Resources to Stop Bullying
Fostering a sense of responsibility and accountability among students forms a crucial component of the strategies to reduce violence among young people. According to Gottfredson et al. (2005), communities that prioritize an environment of mutual respect and accountability can significantly decrease instances of aggression and violence. This environment can be cultivated through learning programs like the social coaching and self defense classes for youth at Shaan Saar Krav Maga which promote the development of social and emotional competencies, thus encouraging students to take responsibility for their actions.
Boccanfuso and Kuhfeld (2011) shed light on the efficacy of social-emotional learning programs in fostering personal responsibility and ethical behavior in young people. According to their research, social coaching programs helped in reducing antisocial behavior, improved attitudes towards self and others, and fostered an overall positive climate, which in turn resulted in a reduction in violence and improved academic performance.
A strong and supportive community significantly enhances the experience of growing up and parenting by promoting a sense of belonging, fostering healthy values and behaviors, and providing resources that can be leaned upon in times of need.
As a parent of a bullied child, it's important to remember that you don't have to face these challenges alone. The Shaan Saar Group and Shaan Saar Krav Maga are the place to find the support and resources your child needs to thrive.
Undoubtedly community plays a crucial role in stopping bullying and violence in schools, and the social coaching and self defense programs at Shaan Saar Krav Maga emphasize the significance of peer support, vetted resources, and a collective sense of responsibility among young people and their families. Through personal efficacy, violence prevention, and social-emotional learning programs like those we provide your child can feel empowered to overcome the challenges of growing up.
Ready to become part of our tribe?
Don't miss this incredible opportunity to equip your child with the tools and skills they need to navigate their world with confidence and safety.
Shaan Saar Krav Maga is currently offering a limited-time trial for new students. As a parent, you know the significance of a supportive community, the efficacy of social-emotional learning, and the value of self-defense skills. Now is the perfect time to take action and give your child the gift of empowerment. Register your child for the trial today and step into a community that cares, educates, and supports. We look forward to welcoming you and your child to our Shaan Saar family.
REFERENCES
Katsiyannis, A., Whitford, D. K., & Ennis, R. P. (2018). Historical Examination of United States Intentional Mass School Shootings in the 20th and 21st Centuries: Implications for Students, Schools, and Society. Journal of Child and Family Studies, 27(11), 3452–3461. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10826-018-1176-0
McMillan, D. W., & Chavis, D. M. (1986). Sense of community: A definition and theory. Journal of Community Psychology, 14(1), 6-23.
National Center for Education Statistics. (2019). Student Reports of Bullying: Results From the 2017 School Crime Supplement to the National Crime Victimization Survey. U.S. Department of Education.
