Essay On Bystander Apathy
If We Don’t Change Now, When Will We?
Kitty Genovese was stabbed to her death in Queens, NY 1964 while 38 witnesses watched and did nothing; despite her deafening cries for help. Some argue that, it was not their responsibility; while others argue that they were too frightened to help. What about the girl who was raped on video posted all over social media, while her friend was giggling the whole time behind the camera and also did nothing. There are several incidents that have happened to people who have died because bystanders did not do anything. What about bullying? Teens and young adults get bullied everyday and most of the time bystanders do not take action. It is the well known effect of—Bystander Apathy. Bystander apathy is a social …show more content…
Yet is it always true that the law will ever make people initiate worthier decisions? In an article, ‘’Can the Law Make Us Decent?’’by Professor Jay Sterling Silver answers that. Silver states a short narrative explaining how a woman tried asking neighbors to help get her two sons who were stuck a hurricane; though they were too callous to open their doors, and it was too late that she found her two boys dead. In his article, he states that this law would not bring back people that have suffered from the Bystander effect, but it would make us accept our duties to moral decisions as humans to help those whose lives are in jeopardy. In my opinion I think it is the right thing to do and our duty as humans to look out for not only ourselves, but for others. But do not misunderstand me. My point is not to persuade people to get themselves in danger by helping someone; however if we are not able to aid ourselves, we should atleast make an effort to call for one. We can save someone’s life. We can prevent a death or tragedy by—taking action. If we do not now, when will we? Ultimately, we can all take a part in making the world a better place for everyone by being educated about the Bystander Effect and realize that anyone out there could be our loved
Kitty Genovese was stabbed to her death in Queens, NY 1964 while 38 witnesses watched and did nothing; despite her deafening cries for help. Some argue that, it was not their responsibility; while others argue that they were too frightened to help. What about the girl who was raped on video posted all over social media, while her friend was giggling the whole time behind the camera and also did nothing. There are several incidents that have happened to people who have died because bystanders did not do anything. What about bullying? Teens and young adults get bullied everyday and most of the time bystanders do not take action. It is the well known effect of—Bystander Apathy. Bystander apathy is a social …show more content…
Yet is it always true that the law will ever make people initiate worthier decisions? In an article, ‘’Can the Law Make Us Decent?’’by Professor Jay Sterling Silver answers that. Silver states a short narrative explaining how a woman tried asking neighbors to help get her two sons who were stuck a hurricane; though they were too callous to open their doors, and it was too late that she found her two boys dead. In his article, he states that this law would not bring back people that have suffered from the Bystander effect, but it would make us accept our duties to moral decisions as humans to help those whose lives are in jeopardy. In my opinion I think it is the right thing to do and our duty as humans to look out for not only ourselves, but for others. But do not misunderstand me. My point is not to persuade people to get themselves in danger by helping someone; however if we are not able to aid ourselves, we should atleast make an effort to call for one. We can save someone’s life. We can prevent a death or tragedy by—taking action. If we do not now, when will we? Ultimately, we can all take a part in making the world a better place for everyone by being educated about the Bystander Effect and realize that anyone out there could be our loved