Relational Aggression In Our Schools
- 1. Relational Aggression in our Schools Katie Roche Current Issues in Education Fall 2008
- 2. Relational Aggression Outline What is Relational Aggresssion (RA)? What are the three roles of bullying? The roles of Adolescents involved in RA. Who are the Aggressors of Relational Aggression? What are the Behaviors of RA in Adolescents? What are the Behaviors of RA in Youngsters? Why does the Aggressor act out? What are the Signs? What are the Long Term Effects of RA to the Victim? Tips for Parents for RA and Bullying Tips for Parents with Girls involved in RA Tips for Teachers and Schools The Ophelia Project What has “The Ophelia Project” done for schools? How has Highmark Healthy High 5 helped schools with bullying? Facts of RA & Bullying Highmark Posters Real Life Stories Summary
- 3. What is Relational Aggresssion (RA)? Type of Bullying – Negative action carried out by physical contact, rumors, or exclusion Behavior intended on damaging one’s relationships. Manipulation used to hurt or control another’s relationships. The threatening to hurt one’s relationships. Harm to one’s self esteem, friendships, or social status
- 4. What are the three roles of bullying? Aggressor – The individual doing the damage Target – The victim of the damage Bystander – The children caught somewhere in the middle
- 5. The roles of Adolescents involved in RA . The Queen – Everyone in the group does what she wants ~ social leader ~ loses her sense of self. The Sidekick – Looks up to the queen as being in charge ~ rarely has her own opinion. The Gossip – Friends with everyone ~ gains trust from others to get the information ~ Secretive. The Floater – Moves around groups ~ avoids conflicts ~ Does not compete The Bystander – Want to be a peacemaker ~ knows the queens behavior is wrong ~ accomodates The Wannabe – Will do anything to be in the circle ~ doesn’t know the difference between her wants and the group’s wants. The Target – The victim ~ feels excluded ~ Rejects people because of the affects of being the target
- 6. Who are the Aggressors of Relational Aggression? Girls RA is most commonly found and studied in Adolescent girls, although it can be found in boys. Girls as young as three and four years old also participate in RA.
- 7. What are the Behaviors of RA in Adolescents? Exclusion Gossip Rumor Spreading Teasing Name Calling Physical Abuse Cyberbullying Taunts & Insults Intimidation Manipulation
- 8. What are the Behaviors of RA in Youngsters? Retaliation Exclusion Name Calling Stopping Friendships Making Fun Manipulation Peer Pressure
- 9. Why does the Aggressor act out? Fear Power Control Popularity Security The way they were raised ~ Children raised by authoritarian parents.
- 10. What are the Signs? The target acts afraid of the environment where the act is happening (such as school, bus, or activities). The target may act sad or depressed. The target will show signs of a low self-esteem. The target may be very anxious.
- 11. What are the Long Term Effects of RA to the Victim? A Hostile Learning Environment Chronic Absences Depression Suicide Increased Anxiety More Anger Eating Disorders Being Lonely Lack of Self-Esteem
- 12. Tips for Parents for RA and Bullying Keep a written record of all incidents of bullying or RA. When concerned ask a teacher, set up meetings, and follow up to see what has been done! In order to better handle stress, meet with the guidance counselor. Keep notes on what has happened with the school being involved.
- 13. Tips for Parents with Girls involved in RA Help get girls involved in activities outside of school. Encourage them to be in relationships with all types of people for the right reasons. Always listen to what they have to say! Teach & Model behaviors that you want to be repeated.
- 14. Tips for Parents with girls involved in RA (continued) Always talk about both sides of the issue to know for sure if your child is the aggressor or victim. Encourage your daughter to not be involved. Be aware of everything that your child is doing on the computer. Seek Counseling when necessary.
- 15. Tips for Teachers and Schools Create an environment with clear limits on what is acceptable and unacceptable and follow through with it. Always investigate any report of bullying. Meet with the victim and the aggressor separately (there are 2 sides to every story) Be careful not to blame the victim or let the victim feel like they are being blamed. Create an anti-bullying program.
- 16. The Ophelia Project Founded & Headquartered in Erie, PA in 1997 Goal was to listen to girls and found at the root of the problem was that many girls are suffering from RA Provide educational resources, programs, and advocate for healthy relationships Achieve long term changes to provide safe climates Mission has evolved to include boys too Serves youth and adult population
- 17. What has “The Ophelia Project” done for schools? 1.) Developed “Creating a Safe School” (CASS) for schools to celebrate students. 2.) Developed an elementary school curriculum. 3.) Developed “How Girls Hurt Each Other” as an awareness program. 4.) Encouragement for schools to adopt a zero tolerance policy for RA.
- 18. 1.) Creating a Safe School (CASS) Involves the entire school to make long term changes in the behaviors of the students. Give students the ability to make positive choices. Provides Consulting with experts. Workshops for CASS Mentor Training
- 19. 2.) An Elementary School Curriculum Early Intervention Examines the effects of media on children Provides Mentoring Gives Conferences on; mentoring, eating disorders, community building, and RA.
- 20. 3.) How Girls Hurt Each Other Began in 1998 Two day awareness program given to middle school girls. Goal is to make girls aware of what is going on, their role, and how to stop it. Role plays Express to girls how the girl caught in the middle can make a positive change.
- 21. 4.) Zero Tolerance Policy for RA. “ Name the Beast” – admitting there is a problem and tackling it head on. Workshops & Training Anti-Bullying Plan & Curriculum Early Intervention Everyone bans together – parents, teachers, counselors, administration, and students.
- 22. How has Highmark Healthy High 5 helped schools with bullying? Developed $10,000 grants for anti-bullying programs in schools. The goal is to improve the overall health of children from 6 to 18 yrs old. 5 focuses are; nutrition, physical activity, self-esteem, grieving, and bullying prevention. With the sources from Highmark students will be encouraged to adopt healthy habits. Corry Elementary School received a grant and will write and produce a show about bullying.
- 23. Facts of RA & Bullying The National Education Association says “160,000 children miss school each day out of fear.” A child is bullied every 7 minutes. 77% of students are bullied through; mental, physical, or verbal aggression. 8% of students do not go to class one day a month out of fear. Bullying can be reduced by 50% where school wide programs are adopted. Over 13 million children in the U.S. from 6 to 17 have been a victim of cyberbullying.
- 29. Real Life Stories Kindergarten Girls Kindergarten Boys My Sister in Middle School Three Way Calling Hate Pages
- 30. Summary RA does exist inside and outside of our schools The best practices are Early Intervention & a Zero Tolerance Policy Watch for the signs of RA Tackle a problem head on by “Naming the Beast” When a problem is found – Come up with a plan that involves everyone and notify them