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Bullies Need a Harsher Punishment

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Bullies Need a Harsher Punishment
Tenesha Bolden
March 15, 2012
English 4A

Bullies Need a Harsher Punishment Bullying is on the rise in the U.S.; therefore, more researchers are attentive to the effects of bullying. There are extreme cases wherein victims have resorted to drastic measures. Bullying is a widespread plight, which is having both emotional and tragic effects; therefore, bullies should be harshly prosecuted and imprisoned. In arguing that bullies need a harsher punishment, this research paper will closely examine the types of bullying and statistics, detail two teen suicide cases, and provide the state law.
According to Dan Olweus, research professor of psychology from Norway and creator of the Olweus Bullying Prevention Program, defines bullying as “A person is bullied when he or she is exposed, repeatedly and over time, to negative actions on the part of one or more other persons, and he or she has difficulty defending himself or herself" (“What is Bullying”). Olweus additionally contends that there are three essential components: aggressive behavior that involves unwanted, negative actions, a pattern of behavior repeated over time, and an imbalance of power or strength.
Types of Bullying. Bullying is not merely name calling or shoving a kid into a locker; there are several types. Physical bullying involves the use of physical force or intimidation tactics e.g. hitting, kicking or pushing another person, or even threatening to do it. Verbal bullying entails name-calling, teasing, insulting, and gossiping. Emotional bullying, which is “the most harmful form of bullying”, occurs when there is harm to someone's self-esteem or feeling of safety (Shindler, “Types of Bullying”). The latest form of bullying is cyber bullying or internet bullying. It includes creating websites filled with false information, blogging, instant messaging, e-mailing, and text messaging.

Statistics. On a daily basis bullying has become a frightening nightmare for far too many of today’s



Cited: Associated Press. “Mother Wants the Maximum Penalty in Cyberbullying Case.” ap.com. ap.com, 29 Nov. 2008. Web. 19 Jan. 2012. Brady, Jonann. “Teen Talks About Her Role in Web Hoax That Led to Suicide.” abcnews. abcnews.com, 1 Apr. 2008. Web. 19 Jan. 2012. Burns, Jim Donaldson James, Susan. “Immigrant Teen Taunted by Cyberbullies Hangs Herself.” abcnews.com. abc.com, 26 Jan. 2010. Web. 13 Jan. 2012. Khadaroo Teicher, Stacy. “Phoebe Prince Bullies Sentenced, But How Do They Make Things Right.” csmonitor.com. csmonitor, 5, May. 2011. Web. 19 Jan. 2012. Lee, Katherine. “Warning Signs That Your Child May be the Victim of School Bullying.” about.com. about.com, n.d. Web. 13 Jan. 2012. New York Times. “Megan Meier.” nytimes.com. nytimes.com, 8, Sept. 2009. Web. 13 Jan. 2012. Olweus, Dan. “What is Bullying.” olweus.org. olweus.org, 2011. Web. 13 Jan. 2012. Olweus, Dan. “State and Federal Information: Maryland.” olweus.org. olweus.org, 15 Sept. 2010. Web. 21 Jan. 2012. Olweus, Dan. “State and Federal Information: Virginia.” olweus.org. olweus.org, 15 Sept. 2010. Web. 21 Jan. 2012. Shindler, LuAnn. “Types of Bullying”. life123.com. life123.com, 2011. Web. 13 Jan. 2012.

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