The Poveda Parents Association's Family Ministry had a talk on Bullying and Peer Pressure. It was conducted by Vicky Cantada of CEFAM, The Center for Family Ministries of the Ateneo de Manila. Here are guidelines which will be helpful for parents.
Bullying and Peer Pressure
Definition of bullying: behavior by an individual or group, usually repeated over time, that intentionally hurts another individual or group, either physically or emotionally
Causes of Bullying: lack of adult supervision, abused at home, lax in discipline (do not experience consequences), not knowing one’s competence, insecure
Effects of Bullying: loss of self-esteem; fear, anxiety, sadness, loneliness; undermines confidence; destroys sense of security; poor concentration
Definition of Peer pressure: Adolescents experience peer pressure when friends or others they admire pressure them to do something they don’t want to do, or when they feel they have to do something to fit in.
What Parents can do:
Develop self-esteem: Accept unique strengths and weaknesses; Be positive; Help develop interests in where your child is good at; Teach them to learn from mistakes
Encourage communication: Open lines of communication; Be sensitive to your child’s emotions and experiences; Spend individual time with your child in activities that interest him; Recognize warning signs
Teach values: Set clear expectations; State clearly non-negotiable values; Carry consequences; Make things right; Teach social skills
Give adequate supervision: Know his friends; Help him to redefine friendship; Broaden perspective in selection of friends; tune in to changes in his behavior
Encourage independent thinking: Coach child in handling bullying and peer pressure; Help child to assert themselves
Encourage child to just say NO. Practice: Ignore; confront; use humor; talk it over with an adult/report to school authorities
Be a role model.
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