How Bullying Affects Our Society - Essay Example

Bullies in School Bullies in School Introduction Bullying has been a serious concern in the education sector, in United States. School bullying has been on the rise in recent years. This can be extremely harmful especially if there is no proper control by schools and teachers. The reasons for the rise may be due to lack of effective bullying-prevention programs. The greatest concern has been the rise of a school shooting that has been linked to bullying (Morgan, 2012). Bullying, on the other hand, leads to a bad school environment. The victimized students are also faced by myriad of challenges in the school environment. This may affect their performance and sometimes may lead to dire consequences such as suicidal thoughts (Morgan, 2012). There are various forms of bullying employed by students. In female students, psychological bullying is rampant as compared to boys that significantly focus on physical bullying (Morgan, 2012). Bullying has been in existence for a long time. However, the current phenomenon in the American schools has skyrocketed sometimes making it difficult to control. This has been a concern to schools, teachers and parents. Sometimes it is difficult to identify bullying behaviors in a school environment (Morgan, 2012). School bullying has been shown to be bullying that takes place within the school property (Bullying Statistics, 2013). It may occur in different forms such as between peer, between children with one advantaged than the other in some aspects, or involve teachers and students (Bullying Statistics, 2013). Bullies have a certain character of confronting their victims. It may involve face-to-face incident or use of another person. There are various tactics employed by bullies. They include name-calling, taunting, and social exclusion, spreading of rumors, intimidation, and racial profiling (Morgan, 2012). Cyber bullying Cyber bullying has become common in American schools. This has been due to the recent advent of technology. Majority of the students has been exposed to the new technology. This has become dangerous as compared to the traditional form of bullying as it can occur at any time and anywhere (Morgan, 2012). Hence, bullying has become easier. In this new technology, bullying is carried out without any facial contact. This is possible by use of malicious e-mails, websites, and social sites that eliminate the need for facial contact. Hence, cyber bullying increased the chances of anonymity of the bullies (Morgan, 2012). This makes it possible for the perpetration of their activities without any fear of being caught and face disciplinary action. A research carried out have shown that this form of bullying makes it possible for perpetrators to use false names, temporary email address, or devices for other people to avoid being identified and disciplined for their action (Morgan, 2012). Cyber bullying has also been common due to lack of maximum supervision. Most of those that own such website have no supervisory roles on the activities taking place on their websites. Reason Why Student Bully others Various factors exist that leads to student bullying others. One has been exposure to the media. There exist a relationship between exposure to media and bullying. A research carried out has shown that there is a strong association between high television exposure and the risk of being involved in school bullying (Verlinden et al., 2014). Television viewing has been shown to be associated with child externalizing problems (Verlinden et al., 2014). The problems are shown significantly leading to bullying involvement. Exposure to violent television and video in younger age elevate the risk of being a bully (Verlinden et al., 2014). Most of the television programs and video games have been full of violent scenes. As children are exposed to such scenes, they are acclimatized to the condition. This is mostly because children learn from observing. Therefore, by observing violent scenes in the TV and Video makes them get accustomed to violence and in turn lead to aggressive behavior (Verlinden et al., 2014). Moreover, exposure to violent content may trigger the aggressive behavior of bullies (Verlinden et al., 2014). Family also plays a significant role in mergence of bullies. It has been show that the relationship between parent and child plays a significant role in child social behavior (Kim, 2004). Therefore, family relationship determines whether a child will become a bully or not. For example, poor parenting affects child social behavior in a significant way. A positive relationship has been shown to exist between parental rejection and child aggressive behavior (Kim, 2004). The child that comes from disorderly homes is more likely to be considerate to others due to frustration based on lack of emotional needs (Kim, 2004). The aggressive behavior translates to bullying activities based on lack of attachment to the other being. On the other hand, children may also learn aggressive behavior by observation (Morgan, 2012). Such children are also likely to be exposed to poorly managed conflicts in their homes. Research indicates that such children will be more aggressive as compared to those children that live in peaceful homes (Morgan, 2012). The style of raising children also determines their behaviors. Lack of proper care, control, and attention towards ones children increasing the chances of them becomes bullies. A research carried out indicated that parents who abuse their children increases the chances that their children will be aggressive (Morgan, 2012). As Georgiou notes, those parents that are dictatorial, harsh, and punitive are more likely to bring up children that end up being bullies (Morgan, 2012). Other factors include the presence of a single mother, school climate, poor intervention, and lack of supervision (Morgan, 2012). These have been shown to influence the frequency and severity of bullying problems at any given school. Effects of Bullying Bullying has been associated with various effects. The victims of the vice suffer beyond the embarrassment they receive from bullying. Some of the victims suffers psychological and physical breakdown (Sampson, 2002). Other of the frequent frequently gets out of schools and absent themselves frequently from the school environment. A research carried out in Australia showed that between five and ten percents of the students stayed at home to avoid being bullied (Sampson, 2002). Research indicates that such victims have low self-esteem, and this may lead to depression (Sampson, 2002). These challenges are shown to last many years after bullying stops. In addition, the chronic victim of the vice goes through various challenges. Most of the victim tends to feel anxious and insecure (Sampson, 2002). Others find it difficult to control their emotions and tend to be more socially withdrawn (Sampson, 2002). This may lead even to conceiving of suicidal thoughts. The victims may opt to be bully themselves as they try to continue the process (Sampson, 2002). This may lead to a new process of victimization. The victim may also develop health problems. The bullied students may develop several symptoms such as headaches, stomachaches, stomach pains or sleeping problems (Minnesota Elementary School Principals Association (MESPA), n.d.). Such students may also loose interest in schools (MESPA, n.d.). This ultimately leads to poor grades or poor academic performance in schools. In addition, those that witness bullying may be affected. This may occur due to remorse based on failure to assist the victim (MESPA, n.d.). Others may be encouraged to participate in bullying activities. This has an overall effect on class attitudes and behaviors. Conclusion It is clear bullying has been a challenge to American schools. This has been evident due to recent happenings indicating the deep-rooted problems. The problems have been aggravated by the rise of technology. The technology has led to rise of cyber bullying that seem favorite to bullies. This has led to increased incidences of bullying. On the other hand, several factors increase chances of one being a bully. These include exposure to violent media, environmental factors, and poor family background. Furthermore, bullying leads to serious consequences. It affects well-being of the victim, social aspect, and academic performance. Therefore, several measures need to be put to wipe out the vice in schools. This may be by putting in place punitive measures and others measures that will address some of the risk factors. References Bullying Statistics. (2013). School Bullying. Retrieved from http://www.bullyingstatistics.org/content/school-bullying.html. Kim, S. (2004). A Study of Personal and Environmental Factors Influencing Bullying. Retrieved from http://edoc.ub.uni-muenchen.de/5798/1/Kim_Su-Jeong.pdf. Minnesota Elementary School Principals Association. (n.d). The Impact of Bullying on Students and Schools. Retrieved from http://www.mespa.net/The_Impact_of_Bullying_on_Students_and_Schools.html. Morgan, H. (2012). What Teachers and Schools can do to Control the Growing Problem of School Bullying. The Clearing House, 85, 174-178. Sampson, P. (2002). Bullying in Schools. Retrieved from http://www.popcenter.org/problems/bullying/. Verlinden, M et al. (2014). Television viewing through ages 2-5 years and bullying involvement in early elementary school. BMC Public Health, 14(157), 1-28. Read More