Is it really shocking to those of who grew up Asian American that a recent study found that Asian, Pacfic Islander, and Muslim American children were the most bullied?
Bullying and cyber-bullying are huge problems among youth in general. I don't find it acceptable that even for the "less bullied" groups in the study reported rates were still over 30%. Yet for Asian youth reported rates of bullying were 54%.
Probable factors cited included language barriers that immigrant Asian and Pacific Islander Children may face and growing racial intolerance following September 11th, 2001.
The reasons behind this require more research, but at this point I am pleased to see a public dialogue developing. This is an important point for parents to be aware of, to ensure their children are not bullies nor victims, and to educate their children on how to ask for help and fight back instead of internalizing the hostility.
ABC news: Asian Americans most bullied in US Schools
The White House Initiative on Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders' Bullying Prevention Summit