Bullying

Although U.S. scholars and the general public focus on physical aggression, the reality of bullying in a gifted youth's life could be more variable. Bullying can manifest itself as physical aggression (i.e., punching, choking, kicking); verbal aggression as evidenced through threats, hate speech, and taunting; intimidation; written aggression; or systematic social exclusion. Although there is no agreed-upon definition of bullying, common elements include a (sometimes obscure) power differential, repeated exposure, a desire to hurt, and perceiving one's self as oppressed. Bullies can be a gifted student's peers, both gifted and not. Moreover, any adult with whom the child comes in contact, including a parent or family member, could potentially be a bully. A bully might also be a teacher, coach, or administrator. Tracy Cross describes ...