Bullying: Kids Will Be Kids
Problem
“Kids will be kids.” Time and time again, this phrase has been used to dismiss the countless cases of bullying that take place in schools across the country. Such a carefree attitude towards a violent and brutal problem like bullying is a disturbing trend to see. Every year thousands of kids fall victim to schoolyard and online bulling. A child who has suffered from bullying is “2 to 9 times more likely to commit or attempt suicide” (Teen Health) and more often then not, cruelty from peers is a motivator for tragedies such as school shootings. These acts of torture among adolescents need to stop. Whether enforced in the home, at school or by the law, there needs to be consequences for students who participate in bullying their peers.
Proposed Solution
It is estimated that “1 out of 4 elementary-school bullies will have a criminal record by the time they are 30” (Teen Health). The behavior of most bullies is fueled by emotional or psychological problems. Some have been victim of violence or abuse in their home environment while others may suffer from low self-esteem and lack of self-worth. Regardless of the reason, these kids use bullying as form of coping with their own issues. It allows the child to synthesize the feelings of power and control; both of which most troubled children lack. Less extreme, but just as problematic, reasons for bullies to act out are the pressure to fit in with a certain peer group, the need to prove their “toughness” or “masculinity” and sometimes they will even lash out in response to have been bullied themselves.
Since most bullying begins in the school setting, schools should recognize the responsibility they have in preventing and discouraging such behavior. As I mentioned before, bullying is usually a response to some psychological issue faced by the bully. A zero tolerance policy is essential to maintaining a safe learning environment for our youth. Kids who display ridicule towards their peers should be required to
“Kids will be kids.” Time and time again, this phrase has been used to dismiss the countless cases of bullying that take place in schools across the country. Such a carefree attitude towards a violent and brutal problem like bullying is a disturbing trend to see. Every year thousands of kids fall victim to schoolyard and online bulling. A child who has suffered from bullying is “2 to 9 times more likely to commit or attempt suicide” (Teen Health) and more often then not, cruelty from peers is a motivator for tragedies such as school shootings. These acts of torture among adolescents need to stop. Whether enforced in the home, at school or by the law, there needs to be consequences for students who participate in bullying their peers.
Proposed Solution
It is estimated that “1 out of 4 elementary-school bullies will have a criminal record by the time they are 30” (Teen Health). The behavior of most bullies is fueled by emotional or psychological problems. Some have been victim of violence or abuse in their home environment while others may suffer from low self-esteem and lack of self-worth. Regardless of the reason, these kids use bullying as form of coping with their own issues. It allows the child to synthesize the feelings of power and control; both of which most troubled children lack. Less extreme, but just as problematic, reasons for bullies to act out are the pressure to fit in with a certain peer group, the need to prove their “toughness” or “masculinity” and sometimes they will even lash out in response to have been bullied themselves.
Since most bullying begins in the school setting, schools should recognize the responsibility they have in preventing and discouraging such behavior. As I mentioned before, bullying is usually a response to some psychological issue faced by the bully. A zero tolerance policy is essential to maintaining a safe learning environment for our youth. Kids who display ridicule towards their peers should be required to