What is teasing?

Teasing is the verbal assault of one or more teens on another for the purpose of hurting the other person’s feelings and making them feel bad.

Facts on teen who tease:

Fact no 1:

It is a fact that behaviours are strengthen or weakened by their consequences. You can reduce the likelyhood of future teasing by ignoring the teaser and showing them that their words have no effect on you. Whereas if you react with anger, this may increase teasing behaviours in the future.

Fact no 2:

Those who tease usually have low self esteem and do not feel very good about themselves and they tease others to make them feel better.

How to handle teasing?

The best way to deal with the unkind remarks is by practicing and sharing your fears with your family members or best friends.

Step 1: Stay calm and try to relax.

Don’t let them see that you are upset or scared. Try to be in control by doing relaxation technique eg. deep breathing and counting backwards silently.

Step 2: Use humour to ward off teasing.

Humour will ‘neutralize’ the teasing. Prepare some quick remarks you can use. The aim is not to tease the bully back, but to ward off teasing with a light hearted manner. Laugh with the teaser and it will surprise him/her.

Step 3: Avoid the teaser.

You should try to avoid seeing or playing with them if possible when you do not yet have the skills to deal with teasing.

Step 4: Don’t react with anger or fear.

Anger and fear will intensify the teasing. You have to stay in control which requires intense effort.. You really have to try hard not to look at and respond to the teaser.

Step 5: Agree with the facts.

This is the easiest way to handle a tease but needs your emotional control. Just responds “Yes! You are right”, “Ya, sure” or “I know”.

Step 6: Use strong body language and make one assertive statement.

A precise and quick respond to a teaser is to shrug your shoulders and walk away. Show off your assertive postures, which include standing tall, tightening jaw and arms and relaxing the rest of the body.

Say “leave me alone”, “You can’t talk to me like that” or “quit bugging me”.

Step 7: Positive thinking.

You have the power to choose how to act when someone is teasing and it isn’t worth the trouble to get upset. Just tell yourself that eventhough you don’t like it but you can always handle it.

Step 8: Ask for help.

You need to get help if the teasing doesn’t stop and it is bothering you. You have to inform and get help from an adult whom you trust (eg. parents, teacher, relatives etc) especially in the following situations:

• The teaser threatens to hurt you

• The teaser touches you

• When the teasing is threatening and prolonged

• When the teasing takes place in isolated areas with no one around

Lastly, reporting something that is dangerous, hurtful, embarrassing and threatening does not make you a loser.It is a smart move and the right thing to do. You can warn the teaser that you will tell somebody if the teasing doesn’t stop because once you have warned, it is more acceptable to tell.

http://pyscho-bullying.blogspot.com/2011_03_01_archive.html

http://haniemirae.blogspot.com/2013/01/masalah-disiplin-pelajar.html