Bullying has become a significant problem in the lives of today’s youth, specifically school bullying. One in five children ages 12-18 experiences bullying across the nation.
It seems that no community or school is immune to this problem, especially since cyberbullying can expand the issue even further.
Bullying Definition
The CDC defines bullying as
“any unwanted aggressive behavior(s) by another youth or group of youths, who are not siblings or current dating partners, that involves an observed or perceived power imbalance, and is repeated multiple times or is highly likely to be repeated.”
Kids bully other kids for a variety of reasons and students who experience bullying are at increased risk for many negative effects, including:
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Sleep difficulties
- Lower academic achievement
- Dropping out of school
According to stopbullying.gov, low socioeconomic status is one of the main factors in youth bullying within wealthy countries and youth born outside the country are more likely to be bullied than youth born in the country.
Students experiencing poverty or other crises are already at a higher risk of the negative effects listed above. When they also experience bullying in schools, they are even more likely to suffer from these challenges.
Bullying and kids in poverty
Catie’s Closet serves students of low socioeconomic status and students who’ve migrated to the United States from other countries, including those seeking refugee asylum.
These students often come to the country with their basic needs unmet, including inadequate clothing, toiletries and school supplies. Even after arriving in the country, access to clothing and other basic self-care items is a big challenge and sometimes impossible to obtain.
Kids often wear clothing that does not fit, is not seasonally appropriate, or is damaged, stained or ripped. They can also appear unkempt.
Families in poverty often have to choose to pay for other expenses such as housing, food, gas and utilities instead of paying for clothing and toiletries.
A student’s appearance is the most visible sign of poverty and one of the most common reasons students are bullied is physical appearance. Physical appearance is the most common reason students are cyberbullied.
How Catie’s Closet supports students who are bullied
Lack of access to basic necessities puts children at a higher risk of being bullied. They simply can’t afford the same items as their peers, such as on-trend clothing and basic hygiene products.
The foundation of Catie’s Closet’s mission is to provide children in need with free access to clothing they are proud to wear, toiletries, school supplies and other items that fill their most basic needs. But, we always say “it’s so much more than clothes”.
The work of Catie’s Closet does so much more for a child, especially for children who are being bullied or are at an increased risk of being bullied.
1. Catie’s Closet eliminates the visible sign of poverty so kids do not stand out for what they lack.
Children have a natural desire to fit in and socialize with their peers. By giving students access to the items that help them fit in, Catie’s Closet grants them an opportunity to stand out for their strengths and unique qualities rather than the barriers caused by their uncontrollable circumstances.
This lessens students’ chances of being bullied while supporting peer engagement.
2. Catie’s Closet helps children build their self-esteem so they feel confident and comfortable in their own skin regardless of what bullies say.
When students shop at their school’s Catie’s Closet, they are given free agency to choose the clothing that makes them feel like their best selves.
There is such a wonderful transformation that takes place when a student enters their school’s Catie’s Closet, picks out their own clothes, and walks out ready to take on the school day ahead. They can walk proudly with their heads held high and feel empowered to express their individuality with confidence.
“Some students arrive in our halls and classrooms solely because of Catie’s Closet. The importance of this cannot be overstated. Students have come to me first thing in the morning (long before classes begin) asking to visit Catie’s Closet (smelling of the street) and return looking fresh, and visibly charged in their posture. I am certain that they may not have arrived if Catie’s Closet was not available to them.” Deb F. – ELL Teacher – Lowell High School
3. Catie’s Closet strives to create a world of tolerance and understanding with our Be Me Movement.
Our Be Me Movement encourages all of us to accept who we are as individuals and in turn we accept one another for all of the qualities that make us all unique.
With our closets, we start with the youngest members of our society who will go on to change the whole world.
Students who are victims of bullying because of their socioeconomic status and appearance visit their Catie’s Closet to receive unconditional love and compassion and feel valued for who they are.
As more students are touched by the impact of this support, it is our goal with the Be Me Movement that together, we can all create a world of tolerance and understanding.
Join the Be Me Movement here.
How you can help students in poverty experiencing bullying
Join our 7th Annual Fill The Bus initiative, which runs from August 1-September 30.
By participating in Fill The Bus 2022, you will give children the clothing, toiletries and school supplies they need to start the school year off strong and prepared to take on challenges ahead of them, including bullying.
There are four ways to get involved: Run it, Pack it, Give it, Fund it.
Get started here.
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