When kids hit puberty they experience ‘funny’ changes in their physical appearance and voice. The shrill voices of yesterday suddenly become the refined tone of today. Then there are those funny changes that kids experience during puberty and feeling uncomfortable during this transformation is only natural. Puberty is a natural transition into sexual maturity and children commonly enter puberty around the ages of 9 to 16 (for girls) and 9 to 14 (for boys). At this stage in a teenager’s life also increase the chances of getting bullied outside the safe confine of home.

Onset of puberty

Teens will feel extremely self-conscious and confused when puberty sets in earlier or later than their peers. These children are more likely to experience teasing and bullying from their peers at schools and elsewhere, thus making their lives more miserable. The bullied children might not be able to defend themselves against the bullies just because they might be feeling a bit awkward at the time.

Appearance matters

Humans are very critical creatures by nature and they forget to leave this attribute behind in the wilderness when the first step towards civilization was taken by the first ape. Imagine a pubertal teen standing in front of a mirror in the present times while trying to make sense of their transforming bodies. Guess what? The more they look at themselves, the more critical they become of their own bodies (and predictably so). When children obsess too much over their acne problems and hair sprouting out from shadowy areas of the body, they become soft targets for bullies because they can detect the low confidence level in pubertal teens. So why do kids get bullied? It’s simple: Bullies can smell fear in potential targets. If you were thinking that our forefathers were stupid enough to have left everything behind in the wilderness, you are wrong. Reconsider!

Two of a kind

Verbal: Girls and boys will be taunted extensively by their peers just because they look a bit different than the kids who hang around them. Their changing physical appearance will become a constant target of sleazy jokes, their acne problem will be highlighted in group discussions, and their different voice will be considered as an added amusing feature.

Physical: Teenagers who reach puberty will be touched at all the inappropriate spots on their bodies so a bunch of bullies want a laugh out of something. Getting physical with someone can have a devastating effect on any kid. This kind of bullying can happen in the showers after gym class, in school corridors and even in classrooms when a teacher is not around.

Deal with it

• Check out the anti-bullying policies of the school where your child is enrolled. This will help you act out against bullying in an effective way.
• Teens should be encouraged to report any incidence of bullying to their parents and teachers. Tell them that instead of remaining silent due to the fear of getting embarrassed, it is more helpful to talk to elders as they are there to support them through thick and thin.
• Talk to your pubertal teens about the changes that they are going through and be sensible when dealing with their mood swings.