Bullying

Bullying

By Andrew Jackson

Bullying, whether as victim or the bully themselves, reflects a breakdown in the social circles that allow us to function cohesively as individuals and as a society. To intervene effectively, we must recognize the behavioral patterns and the underlying psychological frameworks at play.

Signs of a Victim:
When a teen avoids school or social situations, they’re signaling a withdrawal from the social playing field-this retreat that can erode their capacity to confront challenges. Unexplained injuries or damaged belongings point to tangible evidence of bullying.

Signs of a Bully: Misuse of Power
When your teen displays aggression or refuses accountability, they’re not just acting out-they’re participating in a distorted power dynamic. They’ve failed to integrate the understanding that power, specifically physical power in most examples of bullying, needs to be wielded responsibly. It should be to serve and to protect and uplift-not diminish others.

Effective Intervention

• Dialogue to Truth: Approach the conversation with an intent to understand rather than condemn. Ask them, “What are you experiencing? What’s the story behind these actions?”

• Teach Responsibility Through Empathy: Encourage them to imagine the lived experience of those they’ve hurt. Help them see their own potential to bring good into the world.

• Engage the Broader Ecosystem: Schools and counselors are structures designed to restore order when it’s broken. Collaborate with them to ensure a resolution that’s not punitive but rehabilitative.

Remember, bullying doesn’t just harm the victim—it erodes the bully’s capacity to act as a fully realized individual, it could lead them to becoming socially ostracized or worse- in jail. By intervening, you’re not just solving a problem; you’re shaping the future of someone who might otherwise fall into chaos. Visit FamilyFlowStrategies.com for practical tools to guide this process.