Bullying – A Social Epidemic Essay Example

gay or lesbian.

The author highlights the significant challenges in addressing the aftermath of bullying within schools and among educators. Although some believe that parents are responsible for identifying bullying behavior at home, Dulcinea Norton-Smith (2008) disagrees with this notion. Instead, she suggests exploring whether disciplinary actions such as spanking may send mixed messages to children, leading them to resort to physical aggression. According to a Gallup News Service survey, 32% of parents worry about their child's safety while attending school, and 39% express similar concerns for students in sixth grade or above.

Service (2001) reported that 22% of parents with children in 5th grade or lower express concern about their child's safety, while the author questions where teachers stand on bullying and whether schools can ensure our children's safety. Despite alarming statistics, Fried (1996) suggests that bullying is not being taken seriously enough as a significant issue. Vitali (2007) confirms that children who bully are more likely to engage in criminal activities and join violent gangs later in life, making it our shared duty to raise awareness about the harmful effects of bullying on young people.

The author proposes that public schools and their staff should have greater responsibilities. With the implementation of mandatory education laws, it is logical to anticipate schools to offer a safe environment for students, without any possibility of dangerous bullying. In cases where school authorities are found negligent in preventing such behavior from happening, criminal charges of negligence should be pressed against them. To address this concern, educational institutions can contemplate incorporating an efficient anti-bullying program. An eminent scholar in the area of bullying research named Dr. Olweus has specialized expertise in

this regard.

In 1981, Dr. Olweus put forward a law aimed at preventing bullying and recognizing the importance of school safety as a fundamental human right. The approach he proposed centers on cultivating positive environments in schools, groups, and homes by establishing clear behavior expectations, consistently enforcing consequences for aggressive actions, and promoting student-adult interaction (Olweus, 2010). Studies have shown that this method significantly reduces reported incidents of bullying among students. Despite its effectiveness, it remains unclear why these preventive measures are not compulsory in all schools within society. Could political correctness be the underlying reason? Shockingly, statistics show that 86% of bullied children retaliate with violence while at school.

It is worth mentioning that some violence leads to bullying suicide, indicating the importance of anti-bullying measures in schools. Educators and school officials should receive training on identifying signs of bullying and responding appropriately without interruption. This suggests that society is now more conscious of the negative outcomes associated with what was once considered a normal part of growing up. (Carney, 2005).

The question is whether bullies should be punished with jail time and whether teachers and parents should be accountable for recognizing and addressing signs of bullying. The author suggests that educators and parents have some responsibility if they fail to address obvious physical signs. Bullies target vulnerable victims, so increasing a child's self-confidence is crucial in preventing bullying. Parents can learn how to build their child's self-esteem and handle anger and relationship conflicts to combat bullying. Bullying is a multifaceted problem with various contributing factors, including bullies who may be abuse victims, exhibit problematic behavior patterns, or struggle with managing anger.

Suellen Fried and Paula Fried (1996)

have pointed out that everyone has a limited ability to handle relationship conflicts. Children's development is influenced by their surroundings, including parents, teachers, and peers. Failure to intervene when conflicts arise ultimately lies with society as a whole. It is imperative that we take proactive measures to address this growing issue.

The writer advocates taking action through education and prevention as the initial step. Their proposal entails enforcing robust anti-bullying measures in schools, educating teachers, creating a sense of security for students, and empowering teachers to intervene upon noticing signs of bullying. Bullying can cause deep-seated wounds with long-lasting effects, making it crucial to address. Implementing such measures requires dedication and effort, but is vital to tackle the issue.

Investing our time as parents and teachers upfront may prove to be the most valuable gift we can offer our children in schools today.