Bullying, Obesity, and Self-Efficacy in Our Children Today - Report Example

Abstract

The research paper discusses social factors affecting children. The measures and strategies on how to curb bullying and to enhance self-efficacy have also been illustrated. Children are often affected by social factors such as social brutalities. For instance, poor performance in schools. There is a need for cooperation amongst different parties to solve these social factors affecting children. Teachers, parents, and peers play a vital role in enhancing growth and development of children. From the research, it was evident that a large number of obese children are from wealthy families because of the lifestyle. Parents should help their children develop a lifestyle that is characterized by physical exercises. This way, a control on obesity is guaranteed. Parents and teachers play a great role in helping children develop self-efficacy. For instance, through adult responsiveness children are taught on how to react to matters affecting their well-being. Obese children are posed to risks of contracting chronic diseases. Among the causes of obesity, most children become overweight due to the genetic factors. From the research, it became evident that most schools have established programs that aim at engaging students in field works. This also prevents classroom boredom. As future citizens, children should be treated with a lot of concerns and care. They should not be subjected to activities that will affect their social wellbeing.

Introduction

Bullying affects children in a great way. This is the act of intimidating a person. Children fall victims due to their ‘soft’ nature and inability to fight for oneself. Bullying has become a menace to schools. The older students tend to intimidate the younger children by performing ‘unwanted’ behaviors. For example, taking their school possessions. Not only are children intimidated by peers but also by their teachers in ways that they don’t even realize. For example, when teacher’s or parents force children to perform activities by force. According to scholars, children undergo bullying in a variety of ways. This has led to children be referred to as “second-class citizens” due to the manner of treatment some parents accord them. Their needs come second to parental convenience, material items, and parents’ desires. Parents should consider treating their children properly. Children undergoing mistreatments from parents and relatives perform poorly in their academic studies.

Bullying has adverse effects on children. Apart from causing poor school performance, the intimidation causes children to have low self-esteem, anxiety, and even depression ("Bully-Proof Your Child: How to Deal with Bullies," 2017). Most affected children opt to stay at home. This is because of fear of being bullied at school. In the United States of America, reports indicate that most children being bullied undergo harassment. As a result, different parties, have taken measures of helping children who are faced with harassment in schools. For instance, the American Academy of Pediatrics issued its first policy statement on the subject last year ("Bully-Proof Your Child: How to Deal with Bullies," 2017).

Obesity is a menace that children have nowadays fallen victim. This is attributed to the kind of lifestyles they are exposed by their families. According to medical reports, there has been a significant rise in the number of obese children. Obese children are posed to risks of becoming overweight adolescents and adults. Another health issue is that obese children are at risk of developing chronic diseases. Example of chronic diseases includes diabetes and heart diseases. Medical tests performed on obese children indicate the ease of contracting bone problems, high cholesterol, and high blood pressure. This is because of the large fat contents of the body. Obese children can undergo lots of physical exercises to reduce the fats in the body. Despite the risk of contracting chronic diseases, obese children are prone to develop sadness, stress, and low self-esteem (Kelly et.al, 2013). Obese children find it hard to cope with their peers in activities that entail physical engagements. For example, taking part in sports activities. At school, obese children feel isolated as other children engage actively in sports activities. Teachers play a key role in such incidences. They can decide to form groups consisting of the overweight and the other kids. At home, parents and family members should encourage their children to engage in physical activities, help boost their children’s physical and mental help (Kelly et.al, 2013).

Causes of Obesity in Children

There are numerous causes of obesity. However, the most known cause is caused by genetic factors. Other factors of obesity are lack of physical activity and unhealthy ‘poor’ eating habits. Despite obesity being caused by genetic factors, not all children from families with a history of obesity will be obese. However, such children may possess eating habits acquired from family members. Medical and health practitioners insist that hormonal problems may cause overweight. However, no physical exam has affirmed to these statements. Children end up being overweight due to huge consumption of ‘junk’ foods at restaurants and home. This is a common practice that is evident in this 21st century. Programs in schools should be children friendly. Some schools consider physical education programs as of no importance. This should not be the case as lack of enough physical activity may result in overweight in children.

Self-Efficacy

In discussing self-efficacy, there are some considerations researchers should engage. For instance, the competencies of positive youth development. The competencies include decision-making skills, self-control, the system of belief, sense of self and prosaically connectedness ("How to support your child’s development of self-efficacy – Part 2", 2017). Self-efficacy is an important attribute in developing children and it offers different opportunities for children improve their mental and physical skills ("How to support your child’s development of self-efficacy – Part 2", 2017). Children develop the sense of self as they grow. This is showcased by the manner in which they relate to the happenings that affect their social well-being. Parents and teachers should encourage children to develop self-efficacy. This way, children grow up to become responsible adults. Another strategy that parents or teachers can use to shape children is by granting them an opportunity to pursue success. These strategies include: giving children choices and encourage them to explore, granting children the opportunity for success and giving children time to repeat experiences and skills ("How to support your child’s development of self-efficacy – Part 2", 2017).

Self-efficacy enables children to develop a positive attitude towards their actions. This way, even in wrongdoings, children maintain the positive attitude. Self-efficacy makes children perform exemplary in their academic work. This is reflected in their academic performances. Children should engage themselves in new explorations to learn new skills and abilities. In case of failure, the experiences should act as ‘stepping stones’ to new ventures. Despite the exposures, teachers should guide the children in the entire activities to prevent accidents that might harm the children.

Conclusion

Bullying has affected the social well-being of children. Poor academic performance reflects this. Schools should liaise with different institutions and help curb this menace by introducing policies and measures that will prevent further occurrences of bullying in schools. Obesity among children possess risks to their health. Overweight can be controlled by engaging oneself in physical activities. This way, the body can ‘burn’ in the fats thus preventing overweight. Self-efficacy should be encouraged among children when at their tender age to enable them to grow with lots of experiences. Different strategies have been discussed on how to help children develop self-efficacy when still at a tender age. Self-efficacy can be developed by exposing children to new explorations. Teachers should be willing to help children in their wrongs by offering advice on the areas that need corrections. As a result, a positive attitude is developed amongst children. At school, teachers can group children into groups that will indulge each member of the group. For example, study groups. The study groups will enable a close relationship among the students and incidences of bullying will not be witnessed in the school setting. Students caught of intimidating other students should face punishments that will discourage further occurrences of bullying.