What's in a name? - Name calling....

For many years the saying "sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me…" was used by adults, both at home and in schools, in an effort to salve the hurt felt by children who had been called names. The misguided premise of these well meaning, but misguided adults was, that although name calling may be unpleasant, one should simply accept it as it is no way as harmful as any physical injury.

So is name calling really bullying? Ask yourself these three questions.

1.  Was it intentionally mean spirited so as to embarrass, humiliate or 'put down'?
2.  Was there a power difference between the person doing the name calling and the person being called names?
3.  Was the name calling repeated?

If any of the three conditions are present that would make name-calling bullying.

Over the years that phrase “sticks and stones” has become increasingly rare as schoolyard bullying is recognized as a serious problem. School personnel now know that, not only do words hurt, they often escalate into physical conflict that envelops the bully and his victim as well as those around them, including adults and other children who may get caught in the crossfire.

All too often, what begins as minor name-calling or teasing, ends up with those involved coming to blows at the victim attempts to defend himself. This type of escalation is what experts insist leads to even more violence. Violence often does not begin with a physical attack, but rather a psychological one. What begins as words, perhaps a taunt or name-calling, escalates into pushing and shoving, which then may lead to a bloody nose, a black eye, or even a broken bone.

Click below to see a Canadian TV ad showing the hurt caused by name calling.
 

The intended victim of the school bully is not the only individual affected by the atmosphere created when the bully goes to work. Everyone is subject to the unease and fear that bullying causes, often resulting in such psychological discomfort that school becomes an undesirable and lonely place. No child should have to suffer in silence.

Positive Behaviour / Anti-Bullying Resources at S.H.N.S., Newbawn, Co. Wexford. All rights reserved. © 2010~11.