A lot of experts would argue that there are significant differences between teasing and bullying but there are similarities too.
Similarities
Teasing and bullying generally involve poking fun at someone or ridiculing them in a way that makes them look and feel foolish. There are also times when teasing and indeed bullying can turn physical.
Differences
Teasing will usually involve a sense of fun and mutual joking around. Teasing will rarely, involve religion, race, appearance or other characteristics.Bullying does not involve a sense of fun or mutual joking around. Bullying is often about religion, race, appearance or other important personal characteristics.Bullying can be differentiated from teasing because of intention. Those who bully intend harm to their victim while those who tease do not.
The Problem
There is a problem with the logic of this, however. If your child is being teased and is upset by it, it doesn’t particularly matter what the intent of the other person was. The teasing has then become bullying. Your child has perceived that harm has been done. They are the victims of another person’s unkind behaviour towards them, regardless of intention.A child who is consistently teased, week after week will eventually become dispirited and their confidence and self-worth will suffer. Teasing can be just as harmful as bulling and while in theory they are different, the harmful effects can be the same.
The solution
Children who possess a strong sense of self worth will bounce back from teasing. By encouraging and being there to listen to your child, you can facilitate his success in overcoming teasing.
Reporting teasing and bullying
Parents should treat each individual case differently. Some children will easily develop stategies to help them overcome teasing or bullying while others will need help. Some teasing will be over just as quickly as it started and unfortunately some teasing will worsen. Parents should consider carefully whether to become involved for two important reasons
1. Becoming involved can make the problem worse as it can make a child look weak thus making them a greater target for teasing.
2. Getting involved can undermine or inhibit your child’s own efforts to resolve the issue.
If you are however concerned that teasing is becoming a problem for your child, then it may be helpful to report your concerns. Speaking discreetly to your child’s teacher about your concerns is usually sufficient. Teachers will be familiar with these problems and know how to manage the issue effectively.
There is a problem with the logic of this, however. If your child is being teased and is upset by it, it doesn’t particularly matter what the intent of the other person was. The teasing has then become bullying. Your child has perceived that harm has been done. They are the victims of another person’s unkind behaviour towards them, regardless of intention.A child who is consistently teased, week after week will eventually become dispirited and their confidence and self-worth will suffer. Teasing can be just as harmful as bulling and while in theory they are different, the harmful effects can be the same.
The solution
Children who possess a strong sense of self worth will bounce back from teasing. By encouraging and being there to listen to your child, you can facilitate his success in overcoming teasing.
Reporting teasing and bullying
Parents should treat each individual case differently. Some children will easily develop stategies to help them overcome teasing or bullying while others will need help. Some teasing will be over just as quickly as it started and unfortunately some teasing will worsen. Parents should consider carefully whether to become involved for two important reasons
1. Becoming involved can make the problem worse as it can make a child look weak thus making them a greater target for teasing.
2. Getting involved can undermine or inhibit your child’s own efforts to resolve the issue.
If you are however concerned that teasing is becoming a problem for your child, then it may be helpful to report your concerns. Speaking discreetly to your child’s teacher about your concerns is usually sufficient. Teachers will be familiar with these problems and know how to manage the issue effectively.
