The Golden Rule : Anti- Bullying Essay Example

the distressing consequences of bullying, Tyler Clementi's well-documented suicide serves as a vivid example. As a first-year student at Rutgers University, Clementi tragically took his own life in September by jumping from the George Washington Bridge near Manhattan. This heartbreaking incident occurred after his roommate live-streamed a sexual encounter between Clementi and another male student on the internet. Given the significant media attention these incidents have received, it is clear that urgent action is needed to address bullying within educational institutions. The tragic events like Columbine also highlight the importance of proactive measures rather than reactive approaches in dealing with this issue.

It is essential to have anti-bullying laws implemented in all school districts across the country. This approach is crucial for safeguarding our youth and future generations. The legislation tackles the root problem and aims to provide a lasting resolution. The term "bully" encompasses various individuals, such as students who exploit their peers for money, ambitious professionals willing to go to any lengths for success, individuals dealing with personal challenges projecting their pain onto vulnerable targets, or those with malicious intentions seeking harm towards others.

The rise of social media sites and communication opportunities in today's society has led to a diversification of bullies. Bullying is no longer limited to schoolyards but can occur in various platforms such as Facebook and MySpace, as shown by the Megan Meier case mentioned earlier. With face-to-face communication no longer being our sole means of interaction, bullying now spans a wide range of possibilities.

Both cyberbullies and workplace bullies are common in today's society. Cyberbullies use social network sites and technology to harass others, while workplace bullies can include bosses, coworkers,

or even spouses who demean and overpower their partners. Authority figures like parents, teachers, siblings, or government officials may also exhibit controlling and bullying behavior. The definition of a bully is straightforward - as per www.dictionary.com, a bully is someone who habitually badgers and intimidates smaller or weaker individuals.

Despite the prevailing negative perception of bullying, some argue that its impact may not be as harmful as commonly believed. While many states have implemented anti-bullying laws in schools, others have not and could potentially benefit from such measures. Opponents of enforcing a no tolerance law claim that intervening in bullying situations could create a generation of children who rely too heavily on others for help. They also believe that enduring bullying might actually build resilience and character in victims. Conversely, pessimistic voices see bullying as an unsolvable problem within society, arguing that constantly intervening to protect children from bullies prevents them from developing necessary defense skills. They assert that learning how to handle bullies equips children for life, whereas relying on authority figures teaches them they will always be saved. However, research suggests this approach does not always yield positive results and may even pose further harm.

Children with a passive personality often lack the capability to defend themselves or retaliate, making them easy targets for bullies who are certain they can torment without facing any consequences. While some victims manage to summon the courage to resist and safeguard themselves, it raises concerns about our society if we permit the mistreatment of those who are defenseless. According to Nancy Mulin-Rinder from Wellesley College, adults must act as role models.

"Why would I tell a grown-up if I knew

what to do or how to work it out?" said one girl, as quoted in Boodman. By not taking action, are we enabling the victimization of the vulnerable? Another example is the account of a young woman who endured years of torment and suffering at the hands of her peers during her entire childhood. She recalls, "I was constantly beaten up from my very first day at school. My glasses were replaced 10 times between 7th and 9th grades until my mom finally allowed me to have the wire-rims I desperately wanted" (Johnson). Despite enduring ongoing abuse, her parents made the choice not to intervene and expected her to defend herself.

If there had been a law in place to educate this young lady's parents, teachers, and bullies about the long-term impact of bullying on a child, it would have been more beneficial for her. Additionally, if Lori's peers were aware of the seriousness of their actions and faced consequences for their bullying behavior being exposed, they would be less likely to harass her. President Obama recently expressed concern for our youth in a speech, emphasizing the need to ensure that young people understand there are caring adults who can offer assistance if they are in trouble.

This text highlights the significance of teaching the Golden Rule to all children, which entails treating others as we would like to be treated. It acknowledges that there are different perspectives on this issue, with some individuals suggesting that children should learn to handle situations independently and even proposing that bullying can have positive effects and contribute to character development. Reese Witherspoon, an actress, has expressed her desire for her

own children to experience teasing and bullying because she believes it plays a role in shaping their identity. Nevertheless, research indicates that bullying typically has harmful and traumatizing consequences for children. It often hampers the healthy development of their personality and leads to long-lasting effects that persist into adulthood. Furthermore, it is worth mentioning that bullies themselves are more likely to have been victims of bullying without any intervention.

The text highlights the connection between children handling bullying alone and the likelihood of them becoming bullies themselves. It presents a personal experience where someone used bullying as a defense mechanism after being tormented in their past. This example demonstrates that without informative and educational initiatives in schools to address bullying, there can be severe consequences, including emotional, psychological, and sometimes physical harm.

The ongoing struggle for individuals affected by bullying can lead to a range of negative consequences. Bullying is associated with negative traits, creating a cycle of torment and increasing the number of bullies. It is important to remember that resilience originates from within, and children should be protected from such dreadful experiences. Rachel Simmons, a former victim turned bully, emphasizes that bullying is not easily forgotten or forgiven. Bullies are persistent, making it appear impossible to completely eradicate them. However, there are measures that can be taken to decrease the frequency of bullying incidents and the number of victims as described in certain state laws. Research has shown that these interventions not only help prevent bullying but also reduce rates of truancy, vandalism, fighting, and alcohol use.

According to Mestel, students also mention that they derive more enjoyment from attending school. The proposed law will instill

anxiety and fear about bullying, not just in certain states but across the entire country. This fear will extend not only to the bully themselves but also to their parents, teachers, and school administrators. Consequently, this heightened awareness and vigilance will bring this crisis under better control. Onstad compares bullies to "cockroaches" due to their adaptability; if they want to label your son as a loser, they have no qualms about doing so (Onstad 70). Admittedly, this statement holds true. While it may be impossible to completely eradicate this epidemic, we can certainly tame it. However, change cannot occur without an initial step. In order for this proposed law to take effect effectively, there must be hopefulness and confidence in our ability to make a difference along with determination towards fostering a positive trend. If children begin considering the consequences or negative outcomes before targeting another child or choose not to engage in such behavior altogether, they are more likely to opt for the latter option.

By exerting influence, it is feasible to fundamentally alter this behavior. If bullying is an acquired behavior, it can also be discarded. Swearer asserts that no program can entirely eliminate bullying in every community; however, when awareness about bullying becomes as ingrained in school culture as admiration for sports or performing arts, there is hope for ultimately eradicating it. In summary, bullying does not permanently taint society but rather resembles an infestation that must be individually addressed—one child at a time.

Ensuring the safety and security of children is crucial for their emotional and psychological development. There are no valid justifications for bullying or tolerating it. It's important to recognize that

bullies are not invincible and can eventually be eliminated. Schools, parents, and society must work together with determination to protect our young ones. The first phase is implementing this law, followed by additional measures in the second phase, and allowing our youth to see positive outcomes in the final phase.

The text argues that in order to create a better society for both our future and their own, it is necessary for children to have a desire to participate in current efforts. The sources cited include Swearer's "5 Myths about bullying" from The Washington Post, Onstad's article "Just a Little Pro-Bullying" on the topic of bullying, Piehl's book published in 2009 with pages 68-72 discussing bullying, Boodman's article "Everything You Know About Bullies Is Wrong" from The Washington Post, and Johnson's piece titled "A Survivor’s Story" in the book Bullying by Piehl (pages 74-81).

President Barak Obama, “Obama takes on bullies at White House anti-bullying summit,” The Christian Science Monitor. Khadaroo, Stacy Teicher. Web. USA. 2011. Simmons, Rachel. “From Bullied to Bully.” Bullying. Piehl, Norah. 2009. 38-42. Print. Mestel, Rosie; Groves, Martha. “When Push Comes to Shove; American educators, acknowledging the reported success of an anti-bullying program in Norway, are pressing to implement similar efforts in schools here. : [Home Edition] Southern California Living; PART- E; PART-; View Desk.” Los Angeles Times. Newspapers, Web. April 3, 2001.