Bullying - Term Paper Example

Download file to see previous pages... This paper provides an insightful analysis of bullying. More emphasis is conferred about the important of bullying as a judicial legislative and public policy issues. In addition, the paper analyzes the direct impact of bullying on education. Finally, the paper addresses the trends in litigation as well as the relevant bullying laws.
The United States Department of Health and Human Services defines bullying as the unwanted aggressive behavior involving power imbalance (Fried & Fried, 2011). One salient feature about bullying is that it is repeated, or has the ability to be repeated. The power imbalance can be real or perceived. It may include physical strength, peer support, popularity, status, or access to hurtful information. There are many forms of bullying. Verbal bullying includes taunting, teasing or threatening harm. Relational bullying of the other hand may include spreading rumors, humiliating and malicious excluding. Thirdly, physical bullying includes hitting, pushing or spitting. Other forms of bullying include sexual harassment, hazing, and bullying based on perceived sexual orientation. According to Swearer, Espelage & Jimerson (2010), bullying is characterized by two major components, imbalance of power and repeated harmful acts. It involves verbal, non-verbal, or physical attacks or intimidation that is often directed towards a victim who is not able to properly defend himself or herself.
There are widespread concerns about school violence and bullying in the recent years. There is overwhelming evidence that ascertains that bullying adversely affects student’s sense of security. Scholars recommend that the most effective way of averting bullying in schools require utmost commitment by school administrators. Existing statistics reveal that the most bullying incidences occur in schools. There are also numerous cases of bullying that occur on the way to or from the school, on ...Download file to see next pagesRead More