Bullying

When I was younger the term “Bullying” was just something seen on television or in movies, now it’s a terrifying household word that is used by most children daily. There’s 3 major types of bullying Verbal (excessively tease others, say belittling things and use a great deal of sarcasm with the intent to hurt the other feelings or humiliate victim.) Physical (usually includes kicking, punching and other physically harmful activities.) & Cyber (uses instant messaging, cell phone text messages and online social networks to humiliate and embarrass others). The most common but one that is always overlooked is cyber-bullying. (CyberRC)
Bullying is something many people try to ignore because they think it will go away, or “kids will be kids” but in reality it gets worse in a matter of time. Victims can experience depression and anxiety, increased feelings of sadness and loneliness, changes in sleep and eating patterns, and loss of interest in activities they used to enjoy, health complaints, lower academic scores, aggressive behavior, and lack of communication. Or last but not least take their own life which is known as “bullycide”.(Lett) All the issues mentioned above are also carried by the victim into adulthood, the victim never really recovers. Believe it or not only 57% children report that they’re being bullied because 33% of them think that the school/parents won’t be able to stop it, and the other 24% believe that it’s too serious to not say something wither they get help or not. (CyberRC)
Many schools are unaware of 79% of the bullying that happens in their own classrooms.(Gilkerson) Physical bullying hits its peak in middle school but then decreases in high school, but verbal bullying remains constant from elementary through college. Boys tend to engage in physical bullying, girls engage in cyber and verbal bullying. (BullyStats) Bullying is something that happens around the world, but Dan Olweus from the National School Safety Center said that “American schools harbor 2.1 million bullies and 2.7 million victims”. (Steve) Schools try to prohibit bullying because it can turn violent quickly, 75% of school shootings have been linked to bullying in some way shape or form. (StompOut) But what people realize is there’s only so much a school can do by complying with the handbook that’s why serious cases go to the SRO which often takes them to the actual police.
In light of these alarming statistics and the amount of individuals in our country that are exposed to being bullied I believe that the state and federal government should put laws into place to prevent bullying. Bullies have to be accountable just as much as somebody who breaks a law. Bullying laws need to be in place and enforced equally throughout the United States and implemented in our school systems, organizations, and throughout our communities so young adults will understand the consequences of their actions of bullying.
I feel strongly about this issue as I too have been a victim of bullying, both cyber and verbal bullying. As a result I felt the need to withdraw from school to escape the bullying when no school officials would take action to the bullying that I was being subjected to. It was easier for them to change my classes, be singled out, escorted around the school, telling me they were calling the offenders parents and that I’m safe and it wouldn’t happen again. After 2 months of continued bullying I was left school with no option. During this time I felt many of the feelings I described earlier in paragraph 2. My mom took notice in my unusual behavior and depression and sought counseling for me which has helped me work through some of it and realized I was a victim of this terrible crime.
Our schools systems and government cannot turn a blind eye to this any longer. Too many young lives and families are being destroyed and affected for a lifetime. It’s time to get laws in place to protect the victim of bullying and insure that our young adults will know that it will not be tolerated anymore.