Great article on school bullying and what to do about it today in the Victoria (Texas) Advocate newspaper by writer Sarah Womble:

Sarah Womble

"Do you remember the school bully who went around teasing and threatening you or your classmates? Remember how you felt? Remember how you wished he would just go away?

Ever wondered what happened to someone who was teased or bullied or what became of the bully himself?

Teasing and bullying is an ongoing problem for many of our children. Research reports shows that at least 20 percent of children ages 2 through 17 experienced one or more forms of bullying during the past year.

According to a nationally representative survey, the risk for being bullied peaks during middle childhood, with the highest rates occurring among 6- to 9-year-olds.

An exception was Internet harassment, where the peak age was 14-17.

Those who are the victims of teasing and bullying can experience long-term consequences. Victims of bullying may suffer from anxiety, fear and low self-esteem. They may avoid peers, school and social activities where they may be exposed to teasing or bullying. In some cases, children may drop out of school to avoid being harassed or attacked.

"Negative consequences for those who bully have been demonstrated as well," said Rick Peterson, assistant professor and Texas AgriLife Extension Service parenting specialist. "Childhood bullies have school attendance and performance problems. Those who bully tend to become aggressive adults and are more likely to become involved in criminal activities."

Read the entire article here.