Tuesday, August 27, 2013

What Does Assertiveness Have to Do with Stopping Bullying?

Huffington Post, August 26, 2013

"Round-the-clock internet availability and 24/7 cell phone access gives kids the opportunity to be in touch at any (and every) moment. For many tweens and teens, it is a thrill to be able to connect with friends beyond the school day or a traditional curfew. For those who are targeted by cruel peers, however, it can seem as if there is no escape from cruel teasing, taunting, and texting. In this world of constant contact, children need to know how to communicate effectively.
Assertiveness is a style of communication in which a person expresses his thoughts and feelings in a verbal, non-blaming, respectful way (Long, Long & Whitson, 2008). When considered in the context of young people targeted by bullies, assertive communication is the essential middle ground between an aggressive comeback that escalates a bully's hostility and a passive response that projects a target's lack of power." Read More

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