News and Views

October 24, 2005
The Truth: Words Hurt

According to a study published in 2001 by the Kaiser Family Foundation, in a sample of respondents between the age of 8 and 15, children in the U.S. rate bullying and teasing as their biggest problem. Studies also found that 15 to 25 percent of U.S. students are frequently bullied.

Yet many of us tell our kids that "sticks and stones can break your bones, but words will never hurt you," while recalling the time when they were teased.

Almost everyone is teased about something some time in their lives. But what is also true is that teasing "chips away at our inner-soul" and can be manifest itself as depression.
In addition, harmful teasing can "strip victims of the ability to form trusting relationships" and can turn them into bullies themselves.

Let's think about that before we blithely repeat an outdated and illogical adage about words not having the power to hurt! Because we need to face the fact that words can leave us hurting much longer and deeper than an open wound can.

Read more at: Greeley Tribune, Greeley, Co