Bullying is a problem that is of current interest to students, educators, communities, and the nation because it affects so many aspects of society. Although some people see being bullied as a character-building rite of passage that all students must endure, the facts demonstrate that bullying can have far-reaching effects that make it much more than a mere schoolyard game. Bullying affects everything from the quality of education children receive, the ability of students to prepare for jobs, the ability of students to prepare for higher education, students’ mental health, and community safety. A sociological examination shows that communities, educators, administrators, researchers, and students all play a role in helping to understand what bullying is, why it happens, how it happens, whom it affects, and what can be done about it. In order to understand bullying and how it affects these parts of society today, a sociologist must explore what bullying is, what research shows about bullying, and what is being done to deal with bullying in the schools.
I. What is Bullying and Why is it a Concern?
Although bullying is not limited to schools, it is of great concern to parents, students, and educators today because it affects individuals, communities, and the nation. It is easy to imagine the negative ripple effect bullying can have upon the life of a child who is afraid to go to school because of bullies. For example, a child may avoid or ignore school, failing to reach his potential in education necessary for future jobs and higher education, leading to a lifetime of lower income and hardship. While this example may seem extreme, it is not the worst-case scenario that makes the headline news today concerning bullying. School violence is an increasing concern for parents and people often assume it is directly a result of bullying. According to a Departments of Education study in 2002, “Almost three-quarters of the attackers [in school violence incidents] felt persecuted, bullied, threatened, attacked, or injured by others prior to the incident” (Simplicio, 2013, p. 345).
Bullying can be verbal, physical, or emotional, and today’s students also deal with cyberbullying (Simplicio 2013, p. 345). Researchers Burton, Florell, and Wygant describe cyberbullying as “actions . . . intended to inflict harm and be perceived as hurtful,” and “there must be a pattern of negative behaviors, rather than an isolated incident” via technology such as text messaging, cell phones, and computer chat rooms or social networking sites (2012, p. 103).
II. Research About Bullying
Research addresses many aspects of bullying, including who does it, how they do it, and why they do it. Some researchers clearly believe that today’s technology and lax parenting are to blame for the worst social problems resulting from bullying. For example, Joseph Simplicio writes, “Today’s children have been protected and nurtured to the point that they have not been allowed to fail on any level,” and that this means, “children receive no tangible life experience as they grow to maturity” (2013, p. 347). Researchers Burton, Florell, and Wygant explore differences in traditional bullying and cyberbullying; in addition, they explore how “peer attachment” affects bullying statistics (2012, p. 108). The research is important because it helps educators, students, parents, and the community to understand facts about bullying, how and why it is occurring, and answers questions about what might help to combat problems.
III. What Can Be Done About Bullying?
While research can help to answer many questions about bullying, its chief value is in helping people to design ways to fix problems. Researchers Austin, Reynolds, and Barnes explore some ways that school educators and administrators can work together to deal with the problem of bullying (2012, p. 283). Their research examines the questions and research about bullying and attempts to highlight the most important issues as well as areas that need the most attention in today’s schools.
IV. Conclusion
Examining the writing and research about bullying will make it more clear exactly what bullying means in today’s schools, what direction research is going concerning the topic, and what is being done to deal with bullying in the schools.
References
Austin, Sheila M., Reynolds, Glenda P., & Barnes, Shirley L (2012). School Leadership and Counselors Working Together to Address Bullying. Education, 133(2), 283-290.
Burton, K. Alex, Florell, Dan & Wygant, Dustin B. (2012). The Role of Peer Attachment and Normative Beliefs About Aggression on Traditional Bullying and Cyberbullying. Psychology in the Schools, 50(2), 103-115.
Simplicio, Joseph (2013). Suck It Up, Walk It Off, Be a Man: A Controversial Look at Bullying in Today’s Schools. Education, 133(3), 345-349.
