Part 2: TINY FACES OF DESPAIR

A UNIQUE COMMUNITY

As bus driver's, we unfortunately see a lot of children that we know are facing a tough, challenging home life. When we park the bus, they still dominate our thoughts. We worry about them. In some cases, clothe and feed them. As a unique band of bus driving brothers and sisters, there isn't anything that we wouldn't do to help them. In chapter 2 I hope to break down four of the most common challenges our young student transports face daily.

Approximately 50% of American children come from a divorced home.

Over 40% of children grow up with no father in the home.

Children from divorced families are more likely to abuse substances and suffer from depression. They suffer lower academic achievement and are less trusting of future relationships.

Children between the ages of 4 to 11 are more likely to feel at fault for their parent's divorce.

Many children of divorced parents worry that their parents will stop loving them as well.

Over 550,000 children suffer from child abuse in the U.S. yearly.

Children of abuse are 75% more likely to abuse someone else. 
And thus, the cycle continues.

The trauma of child abuse causes children to lose their sense of safety and trust in future relationships.

Not all abuse is physical and leaves a visible mark. Children can also suffer verbal and emotional abuse at the hands of those that are supposed to be providing love and support.

As Mandated Reporters we are legally obligated to report any child abuse we see or hear of. 

HOW TO REPORT ABUSE

Check with your State Department of Health and Welfare or contact law enforcement to learn where to report suspected abuse. The information you may be asked to provide to provide during mandated report may include:

• Name(s) of the child, family, and their contact information
• Where the child is located
• Whether the child is in immediate danger
• Description of what you witnessed
• Why you are concerned
• Names of other people who might be aware of the situation
• Other information that might be helpful
• Your name, contact information, and relationship to the child

Bullying is the use of force, coercion, hurtful teasing, comments or threats in order to abuse, dominate or intimidate. The behavior is often repeated and habitual. There must be a perceived physical or social imbalance between the bully and the victim. Bullying can be performed individually or by a group. 

Most students wont report bullying out of fear that reporting may make it worse.

Over 160,000 students skip school every day due to being bullied.


Bullying can result in physical injury, social and emotional distress, self-harm and even death. It also increases the risk for depression, anxiety, sleep disorders, lower academic achievement and dropping out of school.

Bullying can also occur through technology which is called Cyberbullying.

Students spend an average of 170 minutes a day on social media.
They spend only 10 minutes a day doing homework.

Other problems associated with social media include over sharing of personal information including explicit pictures and exposure to online predators.

Then there are the many different forms of cyberbullying including:

• Exclusion from social groups or communities
• Harassment via text or social communities
• Stalking from unwanted, obsessive attention
• Fraping which is stealing someone's online persona
• Body Shaming
  
  
  So, with all these many outside challenges today's youth are facing, I am reminded of what Dr. Phil famously says...