Bullying is a Social Evil
What comes to your mind when you think of the word bullying? Bullying is common in schools but can be reduced or entirely gotten rid of if parents and school authorities take action. This behavior is intolerable since the consequences are great ever-imagined (Rigby, 2007, p. 11). The action is repeated, and cruel carried out by the powerful over the powerless. The abuse of weaker children by stronger ones has been going on for the longest time possible. Bullying is no longer a joke or an obsession (Rigby, 2007, p. 13). It is a concern since it matters now and in the future.
Research has provided an understanding of the reason why children become victims of bullying or become bullies. It is clearer that the school and community environments are key contributors of such behaviors (Rigby, 2007, p. 13). Opportunities are being created, for victims, to share their stories and the plans they have in relation to bullying. Bullying comes in many forms such as kicking, physical, verbal and nonverbal (Rigby, 2007, p. 20). It includes such actions as spitting, hitting, name-calling, throwing stones, threatening, deliberate exclusion, target of nasty stories, stealing of victim’s things, making racist remarks, teasing and verbal insults. The inquiry is who should be held accountable for such behavior? Are the above actions warning signs? Are parents and teachers too busy to notice such warning signs?
The extent to which bullying is analyzed depends on the vulnerability of the victim. What may appear as simple teasing could be far much hurtful than ever thought. Some children are affected while some are not bothered by the actions (Rigby, 2007, p. 21). There are different views concerning the behavior of youth that can be misleading. The views include the fact that the youth are getting out of hand and hence, there is nothing that can be done (Rigby, 2007, p. 24). Another is the fact that the youth are wiser than the old are that they treat each other with understanding and respect.
Most bullying takes place in the playground. This is the reason why should redesign their playgrounds in a manner that fits the needs of students. The design should encourage participation hence, enable discussion and enhance responsibility (Smith & Sharp, 1994, p. 163). Students benefit from participation since they gain such social skills as compromise, persevering, negotiation and working together. It is possible to create a milieu that is affluent and sundry and that promotes positive behavior. Some school heads deny the fact that bullying takes place (Rigby, 2007, p. 25). Some accept of bullying and actions such as expulsion, exclusion and suspension used to curb the social evil.
Some primary children are too young to defend themselves. Some small-bodied students in high schools are also victims since they appear too little in the eyes of their offenders. Is it the feeling of power that causes such behavior to continue? What happened to what we were taught and what we believed? The community raises a child and hence, the behaviors they show depend on what they were taught. The community should stand up for the child and community.
References
Rigby, K, (2007), Bullying in Schools and what to do about it, Australia Council for ED Research.
Smith, P & Sharp, S, (1994), School Bullying: Insights and Perspectives, London: Routledge
