Taking a Stand Against Bullying
Television has helped propagate the “school bully” stereotype. It is easy for some to laugh it off without realizing how big of a problem it actually is. School bullying is a serious issue and will continue to cause trauma until we stand firmly against it.
What Makes Bullying a Big Deal?
Let’s take a closer look at the negative outcomes of bullying in schools.
● Creates a difficult learning environment
Bullied students dread school. Constant fear and dread make it difficult to learn.
● Lowers self-esteem and self-importance
Harsh bullying tears down a student’s self-esteem and makes them feel worthless. Often, bullying is contagious. Bullied students begin bullying others to gain back a sense of power and worth.
● Discourages growth
Students require encouragement and confidence to blossom. Without those key ingredients, they wilt and fail to measure up to their full potential.
● Develops ill-functioning adults
Many criminals were once on one side of the bullying coin. Interestingly enough, it rarely matters whether a student is a bully or the bullied. Both struggle academically and often find themselves in conflict with authority.
These results look especially grave in light of a Wallethub study, which states that Michigan has the largest bullying problem in the nation. States were rated on bullying prevalence, impact, and treatment, as well as anti-bullying laws.
Understanding a Bully’s Actions
It can be tempting to believe that bullies act out for no reason. However, this is rarely the case. Bullies are often the product of their environment. If someone was unkind to them, they instinctively desire to be unkind to others. Perhaps their behavior was left unchecked for too long, or their home life is unstable. Whatever the case, any form of bullying is unacceptable, especially at school.
How You Can Fight Against Bullying?
1. Handle the bully.
If a school official notices a student bullying others at school, analyze the following problem areas:
● Poor discipline at home or in the classroom
● Passive parents
● The student’s friend group
● Lack of love or attention
● Potential past trauma
Once you have identified why the student may be acting out, take action. Do not “let it slide” or take the side of the bully. Additionally, remember that punishing actions will not always result in a perfect student. Treat the bully kindly but firmly. Let them know that their behavior is unacceptable, and tell them why. You must reach the root of the problem and solve the cause (e.g. lack of attention), not merely the symptoms.
2. Handle the student being bullied.
Make sure the bullied student understands that the bully’s words and actions do not determine the bullied student’s worth. Whether you are an administrator, teacher, or parent, take every opportunity to encourage students and provide them with positive attention. Build self-esteem, self-confidence, and kind hearts, even in bullies. Teach other students to do the same.
The first step toward creating a positive world is to teach individuals to be compassionate.
