BULLY

 

BULLY

“I found one day in school a boy of medium size ill-treating a smaller boy. I expostulated, but he replied: “The bigs hit me, so I hit the babies; that’s fair.” In these words, he epitomized the history of the human race.”— Bertrand Russell

Bullying is a social problem as it causes harm to the victims and it is such a pervasive issue in recent years. It has become even more common among kids and teenagers. Being bullied has many detrimental impacts and it can lead to not only physical problems but also mental problems, which at times may not be apparent. Bullying usually starts when a student does things that may hurt another student physically or mentally. The bully may hit or beat up the victim or use nasty words to frighten the victim. We have seen bullying occur in many different places, especially in school, and it has also been reported in the news as well. Children and teens all deal with being bullied in various ways but unfortunately, many of them do not speak out about being bullied and they do not get the help they need in order to deal with the bullying.

Bullied kids and teens are more prone to have higher levels of depression than non-bullied kids and teens. They frequently feel more depressed and lonely than others who do not suffer bullying. Children often withdraw and become quite silent when this occurs. For instance, children who are typically very talkative may no longer feel the need to talk to anyone. If they do not receive the support they require, these kids may resort to suicide as a means of their way out. Bullying alone is not the reason why kids commit suicide, but it is a significant contributing factor to youth suicide. Kids should never feel like they do not have a way out. We need to help in as many ways as we can, not just in school but also at home.

Why do some students like to bully others? According to school counsellors, some bullies hurt others to make themselves look tough, while others simply want to get attention. There are some bullies who may not realize that their behavior is wrong. Therefore, the counsellors often talk to the bullies and try to find ways to make them feel good about themselves. They recommend these bullies to take up games and sports to discipline themselves. After listening to the advice, some of them get involved in co-curricular activities. When they get to represent the school in these activities, the bullies will start to feel good about themselves and stop the bullying.

There are a few other ways to stop bullying in schools. If someone starts to bully a student, the student should inform a teacher or a counsellor. Another way is to spend more time with a group of students. Bullies seldom pick on students who are in a group as they are also scared. In addition, the student who is a victim should be brave for once and tell the bully in the face to stop. After saying that, then simply leave. Bullies are often taken aback and feel surprised by this. Next, think about enrolling in self-defense classes like karate and taekwondo. These classes can help to build up confidence that is lacking in the victims. Another way that can help to get rid of bullying is by putting up posters to educate on the harmful effects of bullying. Only when bullying stops, schools can become a safer and happier place for all.

Besides, one of the ways for parents to get involved to stop bullying is by promoting family environments that support healthy development. Children who are raised in a loving and caring family environment are less likely to turn into bullies themselves. Having adults that children and teens can speak to can also help prevent bullying. Students who perceived their teachers as supportive and involved are more likely to do well in school and less likely to display behaviour problems such as bullying. Kids spend half their time at home and the other half at school, so it is vital to have the help they need both in school and at home. Kids often do not speak up because they feel like they are not taken seriously. However, being able to speak out about what they are dealing with can help these suicide rates decline.

In a nutshell, although we cannot fully prevent bullying from happening, but we can reduce the number of children and teens who become victims of bullying by taking just some simple steps. It is crucial to recognize the signs of someone being bullied. We are not just looking for the physical signs, but also the mental signs. Indeed, increasing awareness and knowing the effects of being bullied can help prevent the bullying rates from going up. Enforcing prevention measures is the key to ensure that kids are getting the assistance they need. Bullying is very much preventable and we just need to make sure we do not overlook it anymore. If we noticed someone being bullied, we must say something and take action. Do not let someone suffer in silence because they are afraid to speak up.