What is the difference between harassment and bullying?

1. 66

   Lyrickkwposted 10 years ago

   What is the difference between harassment and bullying?
   
   Recently I talked with several parents about the difference between both and what right does a child have when dealing with them in school. Do you know the difference between both and what are your views about it?

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2. 82

   dashingscorpioposted 10 years ago

   The only difference is the spelling and ages of those involved.
   Truth be told we use the word "bullying" when it's done to kids/teens and we call it "harassment" when it's done to adults, especially in the workplace. If a teenage boy slaps his girlfriend we don't call it "domestic violence". If they were adults we would.
   In past eras a certain amount of  "bullying" was expected or tolerated in school. Some parents would teach their children how to fight back or defend themselves against bullies rather than have meetings with school officials. They looked at their children being bullied as a "teaching moment" or an opportunity for them to learn to stand up for themselves. Many parents believed overtime bullies would grow out of it or befriend the kids they terrorized. If it was really bad they'd transfer their child to a different school.
   Today bullying is on a whole new level with the advent of the Internet, Twitter, YouTube, and Facebook. Simply switching schools is not going to offer a "fresh start". This has led to many young people committing suicide. They don't see an end in sight.
   When it comes to adults people who are "harassed" oftentimes launch law suits against not only those that harassed them but anyone who is in a supervisor role that condoned the behavior or refused to help and sometimes the company itself held liable.

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3. 0

   Larry Wallposted 10 years ago

   There is a slight difference and many similarities. Harassment usually means emotional irritation, interference with work and inappropriate comments. Bullying covers all of the above, but also includes some form of physical or verbal abuse. Harassment is more "sophisticated" than bullying. Both are degrading. As a rule, harassment is initiated by people who know better and have a particular for harassing the person. Bullying is more juvenile and is aimed at people who they have no real interaction with but are looked upon as easy target for verbal, emotional and physical abuse.

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