Bullying is a serious problem that many people experience nowadays. It can happen in school, at work, in supermarkets, at the park – everywhere. Regardless of where or how the act of bullying happens, the effects often cause psychological and emotional anguish to victims. Those who cannot cope with the situation opt to take their own lives just to escape the bullying. Typically, bullies behave dominantly towards others just to cover up their own personal shortcomings.
Bullies pick on individuals who appear to be weaker than them and those who do not seem capable of retaliating. For the bullies, the false sense of power they get when they push people around gives them a different kind of high. They think it makes them look cool and popular when people follow their orders. Thus, they thrive in situations where they have control over the others. Research claims that individuals who have problems at home or were bullied in the past usually end up as bullies themselves (Ehiorobo).
In addition, looking into a bully's childhood would reveal that children who experienced parental neglect have poor examples of how to properly treat other people or conduct themselves in the presence of others. If they grow up in an environment where shouting and physical abuse are normal, then, for them, use of verbal attacks and aggression is ordinary, and not a form of bullying. Other common causes of bullying include poor self-esteem, jealousy, low self-confidence, bitterness, anger, envy, and feelings of inadequacy that is why bullies tend to dump their hatred to others.
However, such acts cause long-term effects on both the victims of bullying and the bullies themselves. Victims of bullying become socially withdrawn and refuse to make connections with other people. They tend to stay in corners in order to avoid being seen by the bullies. Most of the time, they become depressed and anxious and school becomes a source of agony for the victims. They also generally show a decreased interest in their academic achievements and do poorly at school. Some victims also experience sleeping and eating problems and tend to develop health ailments such as ulcers and headaches ("Effects of Bullying"). While some victims retaliate, still, a huge number of the victims prefer to suffer in silence than incur the wrath of the bullies. As such, those who can no longer cope with the emotional, physical, and mental stresses that bullying brings choose not to continue with their studies, and worse, sometimes opt to end their lives thinking that the world has no place for people like them.
When negative behaviors of bullies are not corrected, there is the possibility that they will bring the same into adulthood. Thus, they are more likely to become alcoholics, drug-dependent, drop out of school, become abusive partners or parents, and may engage in early sexual activities, among others ("Effects of Bullying").
Bullying is a problem that needs to be addressed promptly. Victims must be encouraged to speak up and report the actions of the bullies. They must understand that not talking about their experience or suffering in silence only gives the bullies the freedom to continually destroy and hurt them. Thus, school officials must clearly emphasize that bullying is not tolerated in school.
Works Cited
"Effects of Bullying." StopBullying.gov. n.d. Web. 13 Mar. 2013.
Ehiorobo, Terry. "Bullying in School: The Traumatic Effects of Bullying in Children." Crisis Prevention Institute. 2012. Web. 12 Mar. 2013.
