Play fighting and bullying in children and adolescents

¶ … ology of Aggression

Over the last several years, the issue of childhood relationships has been continually brought to the forefront. Part of the reason for this, is because how children interact with one another, will have an impact in the development of the personality of the child. In the case of role playing (playing fighting), this is used to help build relationships among one particular gender group, while developing the relationship between boys and girls. Where, play fighting can be used, to introduce bullying to an environment. This is because, the aggressiveness and dominance of play fighting, helps children to realize that if one is physically stronger than the other, they can intimidate the weaker person continuously. Over the course of time, these levels of intimidation will become more abusive. At which point, the personality of both individuals will be shaped, with the bully becoming more aggressive, while the victim is more traumatized. To fully understand the role of play fighting and bullying requires: examining the interconnected relationship that the two have. Where, play fighting will set the stage for future bullying, which will cause tremendous psychological damage to both people. As a result, evaluating the connection between the two can help to provide ways, to mitigate the negative effects of both. Understanding, the relationship between these areas, will allow the modern day psychologist, to be able to know the long-term effect that this will have on the child.

The Interconnected Relationship between Play Fighting and Bullying

One of the most contentious issues among psychologists, is the role that play fighting will have in the development of both boys and girls. Where, everyone will agree that play fighting is a part of the human experience of growing up, as both males and females are trying to learn how to adapt to the world around them. However, this is where the opinions will differ, with some claiming that there is no direct role between: playing fighting and bullying. As this groups of mental health professionals will compare this similar to a rite of passage, within many societies around the world. On the other hand, you have another group of psychologists, who believe that play fighting is a direct contributor, to the aggressive actions of the individual. This is because play fighting involves: the use of aggressive action. As both boys and girls engage in this kind of activity, it will psychological instill a sense of superiority in one over the other. Once this begins to take place, it means that a level of dominance within one group will begin to be established. The way that this would work, is the most aggressive individual will have the most influence on the behavior of the group and will have access to more resources. While, the weaker members of the group, would follow below these individuals in the chain of command, as they have less influence and access to the group's resources. When you combine this with the fact, that once children become adolescents, they will often form groups of social support, means that play fighting is one of the ways that this atmosphere is introduced. As a result, when children become older, they will use these groups, to determine their status within: their school and who they will associate with. In some cases, the stronger individuals will often form their own social group, while the weaker individuals will form their own as well. This will affect how someone is viewed by members of the opposite sex when they become older. (Pellgerni, 2003, pp. 1522 -- 1533)

For the weaker members, it will often invite bullying in one form of another. This is because playing fighting, will instill the view, that it is okay to exercise this dominance over someone else. Once this takes place, the levels of aggressiveness will only increase, as the members of one group exercise this power, over members of the weaker group or within the group itself. As the children grow up, this will have a dramatic effect upon their psychological development, as those who are more aggressive will assume that this kind of behavior is socially acceptable. At the same time, the weaker members will have an inferiority complex. This is because of: the constant humiliation that they will receive at the hands of the bully, who will often show their dominance of the individual in front of others. This has an effect on their social relations with other individuals, as they do not see the weaker person as someone who should be respected. At which point, the odds increase that this person could become a social outcast. Evidence of this, can be seen by looking no further than the study that was conducted in the article, The Dyadic Nature of Bullying and Victimization. Where, researchers found that aggressive action will have an impact upon the social status of weaker individuals. As the more dominate the bully was over a select individual, the greater the chances are that they will be rejected by the entire class. Once this takes place, it means that a self feeding cycle of aggressiveness will occur. This can cause multiple bullies to begin engaging in similar kinds of actions towards weaker individuals. As a result, the long-term psychological effects can be severe for both. Where, the bullies believe that aggressive action, will give them what they want in life. While, the victims are unable to adapt, to social situations and have trouble with relationships involving: members of the opposite sex. Over the course of time, this can cause the weaker individual, to have pent up amounts of rage and anger, because of what happened. (Orme, 2007, pp. 1843 -- 1854)

Insights

The interconnected relationship between play fighting and bullying is significant, because it shows how a backdrop of aggressive behavior is: first instilled in children at an early age. Where, it seems like a harmless rite of passage. When in reality, it is setting the foundation for someone to be more aggressive than others. Over the course of time, this will create various social groups, with a chain of command having the most aggressive individuals at the top. At the same time, the weaker individuals are subservient to more dominant members of the group or other groups. This will have an impact upon social relations going forward, as the views and ideas of the most aggressive individuals will be respected. While, those ideas and attitudes from the weaker members of the group will be seen as: foolish (despite the fact that this person may be more intelligent). In a social setting, this will cause the stronger individual to think (through validation) that the actions they take are most appropriate for being successful in life. While the weaker members of the group, will have an inferiority complex, because of these perceptions. Once both people become adults, these attitudes will make it more difficult for them to adjust in society. As these roles are not tolerated, with aggressive individuals facing punitive actions, while weaker individuals have trouble adapting. In either case, one could effectively argue that the relationship between play fighting and bullying at an early age, will have a dramatic impact upon the psychological development of the individual.