OCTOBER2002

Question: Why is bullying a problem? Is it not just a normal part of childhood and adolescence?

Bullying is a serious problem with long-lasting consequences and is not just a natural part of growing up. Regardless of whether it involves a boy or a girl, bullying has long-term effects for the bully and the bullied.

For the bully:

• Bullying is associated with antisocial behaviors such as vandalism, shoplifting, truancy, and drug use.

• The antisocial behavior is likely to continue into adulthood.

• Bullies are more likely to drink, smoke, and perform poorly in school.

• One in four boys who bully will have a criminal record by age 30.

For the bullied:

• Short-term problems can include depression, anxiety, loneliness, and difficulties with school work.

• Long-term depression can include low self-esteem and depression.

Parents, children and adolescents, health care providers, educators, and all members of society need to become aware that bullying is a problem. The American Medical Association's (AMA) Forum on Adolescent Health addressed this problem during a spring conference in Washington, DC. It suggested that providers, educators, parents, and others promote a number of approaches:

• Address bullying questions and counseling in clinical practice. 

• Encourage research on the subject.

• Educate health care professionals, educators, parents, and children and adolescents by making information on bullying part of their curricula.

• Support community efforts to address this issue.

Recently, the AMA published a monograph on bullying titled Youth Bullying. It can be obtained from the AMA website: www.ama-assn.org/go/adolescenthealth.