Bullying in schools is becoming rampant.
Bullying in schools is a massive problem. It affects not only students from elementary school but also middle and high school. A survey conducted in the United States revealed that more than 10% of the students drop out of school because of bullying. Another 160 000 kids refuse to go to school daily. 90% of students in grades 4-8 reported that they had been bullied.
These statistics reveal the dire situation bullying is creating in schools. There are different forms of bullying: physical, social, verbal, and cyber bullying. Fighting, tripping, and sexual assault is physical bullying; it has adverse psychological and emotional effects. Children who are bullied physically have unexplained cuts and bruises.
Social bullying comprises kids’ alienation from groups, spreading malicious gossips, and laughing at others. It is more common among girls. Children undergoing social bullying are likely to become more withdrawn and seclude themselves from others. Verbal bullying is the most common. It entails the use of insulting language and racist and sexist jokes. Kids who bully others verbally look down upon the victims.
Cyber bullying entails sending messages, videos, and images intended to harm someone on social media. Kids who undergo this kind of bullying are likely to be sad all the time and spend more time on social media. Parents should talk to them and encourage them to engage in physical activities. There are many reasons why children bully others. They include; lack of compassion, perceiving others as weak, revenge, frustration, and backgrounds that support bullying. Harassers are not sensitive about the feelings of others. Some of them harass others to show toughness.
Although the school management, religious institutions, and law enforcers are doing their best to eliminate bullying, the vice is still penetrating deep and establishing its roots in schools. The stakeholders should not tire from talking to students and punishing those who perpetrate bullying acts. They should foster peaceful coexistence among the students.
As a teacher, if you realize that bullying is taking place in your class. The first thing you should do is recognize it as a problem. Then act immediately and stay in control. Do not start arguing with the students. Instead, inform them that what they are doing is wrong calmly. Also, do not pass the judgment on the spot. Take time to examine who is bullying the other. When you get all the facts, ensure the bully is punished. Bullying in school is wrong. It cannot only lead to anxiety but also depression and even death.
References
Aleem, Sheema. “Bullying behavior among school students: A review.” Indian Journal of Health & Wellbeing 7.10 (2016).
Hong, J. S., & Espelage, D. L. (2012). A review of research on bullying and peer victimization in school: An ecological system analysis. Aggression and violent behavior, 17(4), 311-322.
