Bullying

What is bullying? 

         Bullying is a nonstop occurrence in schools and other places, these factors have a heavy toll on young children in multiple areas of their life (Mishna et al., 2020). Children and young adults can get bullied over anything, but there are certain things that influence bullying like background, race, how you fit in, your style, etc. According to deLara (2018), “30 and 50% of all secondary school students in the U.S. are involved in bullying.” Research conducted by Social Sciences Research Council shows that parents, teachers, and students believe that the reoccurrence of bullying is based on the difference between the bully and the person being bullied (Mishna et al., 2020).

Explain if anti-bullying programs work.

         Over the years there have been many anti-bullying programs that have surfaced and been put into place.  Although there has been a large quantity of these programs established, we are not sure if any of the programs are working to stop bullying and attain their reasoning for being placed (Ferguson et al., 2007). The U.S. has given billions to schools to place anti-bullying programs, and this is just another reason why it’s important to find out if these programs really work (Ferguson et al., 2007). Because a lot of bullying happens in schools the efforts to end this will involve employees of the schools and now Student Resource Officers (Paez & Colvin, 2021). After studies, the use of student resource officers does not show a strong correlation that they help with preventing bullying and in fact don’t support anti-bullying programs (Paez & Colvin, 2021). More work needs to be done to be able to positively use student resource officers as help.

Describe the lasting effects bullying has on affected people.

         The effects of bullying can last a lifetime and it can cause serious health problems. Victims of bullying have been known to develop health problems such as anxiety and depression disorder (Wolke & Lereya, 2015) A lot of the time bullying happens during childhood years and that can be when it's most detrimental and the most affecting. deLara (2018) states “Childhood bullying is a well-known public health problem worldwide.” If we know that this is true, we know that it’s a mental health problem in a child's life which results in aftereffects in their life. Bullying in the younger years is known to be a public health problem and it shows backlash and an outcome affecting the development of the life of a young adult (deLara, 2018).

Conclusion 

         Bullying happens a lot in schools, and it is often left up to the teachers to discipline the bullies in their rooms because other officials don’t want to (Paez & Colvin, 2021). We now must decide what’s important and how we are going to get the help that is needed for us and the victims. I've learned that bullying happens often and there's no anti-bullying program out there that is efficient enough to stop the bullies (Ferguson et al., 2007). I would say that as a nation, a community, and a school we should all find effective ways to deal with bullying. Studies have proven that bullying has lasting lifetime effects on the victims, there must be a way to end this cruelty among peers.

Let's test your knowledge! 

1. What percentage of all secondary schools involve bullying? 

a. 10-20%

b. less than 10%

c. 30-50%

d. more than 50%

2. Clara is being bullied in school and she doesn't know who to go to for help. Which of the following personnel can Clara go to for help?

a. the principal 

b. the guidance counselor 

c. the teacher

d.  all of the above