Bullying in School

Bullying and teasing has been a major concern in schools recently. Bullying and teasing has been around since the beginning of time but why does it seem like a big deal now? Well, unfortunately it takes someone to commit suicide or do something terrible for it to come to light in the media. Also, technology has been a factor in the increase of bullying. The internet has become a new source to target individuals. The internet is easy and it is available around the clock. Bullying on the internet, in my opinion, is somewhat worse than being bullied in person because there is no way for a person to defend themselves.

Everyone has experienced bullying in one form or another, so why isn’t anything be done about it? Why are children still committing suicide? When a student at school is being targeted, parents always tell their children to go tell someone. So what does a student do when adults don’t listen or do anything to resolve the problem? Well in 13-year- old Asher Brown’s case he had no other way out. He told his parents and the parents went to the school and complained. But no action was taken. Asher committed suicide in September due to what his parents believe bullying was to blame.

We hear too many sad stories like that from children that had no where else to turn to. Parents, school officials and peers must take bullying seriously and put fourth every effort to stop it from occurring. There is a show on MTV called “If You Really Knew Me” and it focuses on youth subculture and different cliques in high schools. The students participate in Challenge Day and it is designed to breakdown stereotypes and unites students in schools. It allows students to get to know the “real” side of them. If students actually took the time to know each others stories, I do believe that there would be a decrease in bullying. I believe every school should have a program like Challenge Day.

Next time you see or hear about bullying…ask yourself…what can I do about it?? Make a difference!

Until Next Time…

Lauren!