Today I read a news article about a school having to apologize for advice they gave students on how to combat bullying. The advice included things like "Don't tell on bullies," and "Don't be a sore loser". You can read more about the advice the school gave to students here: https://shine.yahoo.com/parenting/school-apologizes-for-sending-the-wrong-message-about-bullying-174040029.html
Growing up, my school, like almost every other school in America, had different “cliques” of students. There were the “jocks”, the “nerds”, the “band geeks”, the “Goth kids,” … the list could go on and on. In the interest of not offending anyone, (I probably already have – sorry to those of you who play instruments) I won’t continue, but you get my point. Some kids got bullied, some kids did the bullying and that’s just the way things were. Nowadays, school bullying is on the rise, and the issue is heating up all around the country.
Statistics on the rates of bullying and cyber-bulling vary between studies depending on the measures used and the population studied, however the general consensus is one out of every three students in bullied in school. School bullying can cause physical and mental harm to students. Students affected by bullying have lower attendance and grade point averages, and a higher propensity towards violence and criminal activity.
Indiana State Senator Tom Wyss said that while Indiana school systems may have bullying policies in place, he wants to make sure they are enforced. “We’ve got a lot of school systems where the administrators aren’t really following through like they should,” Wyss stated. Indiana law defines bullying as “any verbal, physical or other act committed by a student with the intent of harassing, ridiculing, intimidating or harming another student”. The law sounds pretty inclusive, but cyber-bulling isn’t specifically covered, which is another aspect Wyss is trying to change. It seems more and more students are victims of cyber-bullying, in which technology is used to harass, tease and spread rumors about students.
So, my question to you this week is two-fold. “Do you think bullying is on the rise, or are parents and the media making too big of deal out of it? Realistically, what do you think could be done to stop school bullying?” You must answer both parts to get full credit. Answers are due no later than Wednesday, April 23rd, 2014. To all those who celebrate - I hope you have a happy and blessed Easter weekend!
In today's society people think that it is ok to bully someone whether it be in person or on the internet. As a parent we always need to be aware of what our children are doing. If they are not wanting to be picked on then they need not to pick on someone else whether it's in person or on the internet. To many children have harmed themselves do to them being bullied. I can't imagine what many of the parents who had to deal with the death of their children due to someone bullying them. I believe that bullying is coming more pronounced then it was in the past. Parents are not always aware of what their children are doing on the internet. With as much violence that has been going on in the world. The media doesn't necessarily have to cover everything but a lot of things stem around the media. If there was to be no bullying in school I would be very surprised. There could be more outreaches to the kids who are being bullied and not feel pressured about coming to school. Many of the kids that bullied someone generally have been bullied themselves.
ReplyDeleteIt is hard to say if bullying is on the rise or not because the numbers are not there to support the claims. Growing up I dealt with bulling and was also mean to other students when I shouldn't have been. Bullying should be explained to children at young ages that it is incorrect and not tolerated. As for the remedy to internet bullying, I believe that young children should be supporvized on the internet to make sure they are not getting themselfs into trouble. They should also be taught that any action done on the internet is punishable in the real world. I am not saying that they should have someone over there shoulder every time they are ok the internet, but they should be checked on and made accounted for. I am a firm believer that parents are responsible for their children's behaviors.
ReplyDeleteI believe bullying is on the rise especially cyber bullying. I remember when I was in school bullying did go on but this day and age it is so out of control. Bullying is making kids kill themselves and others and making them have low self esteem. No I don't think parents and the media and school system is making a big deal out of it.Really I don't think they are making a big enough deal of the issue. I think a way to stop it is to but the person on blast who is doing the bullying and let kids know it is ok to tell on that person.
ReplyDeleteI cant tell if bullying is actually on the rise or if its just noticeable due to access of the social media where its being exposed...Throughout my experience, and working within the school system, I've observed that there are limits to what school administrators can do, when it comes to bullying. Unfortunately, Its not against the law for children to antagonize or call each other names. Unless its physical, a child who participates in bullying, will only get a slap on the wrist.
ReplyDeleteA huge factor now is, Children have access to more social networking tools, which means bullying is taken from within the school hallways into the neighborhoods and social networks sites... So, children being harassed and intimidated feel helpless, trapped, and overwhelmed.
I think that there needs to be more money invested in our school system and placed towards child-advocators in schools. Such as better counselors, peer helpers, mentors etc, People who actually have a passion for children and are willing to reach children. Not only for those being victimized. but also getting help for the bullies.
I agree with the other comments thus far, to an extent...I was certainly faced with bullying firsthand as a child, seeing as how I had and still have Aspergers Syndrome/high-functioning Autism, and was often picked on for the amusement of my peers...however, I do not know if bullying is actually on the rise today or not; in some areas it may actually be decreasing...that being said, I do think cyber-bullying is on the rise, since the Internet has certainly matured even since my childhood, and people this day and age (especially youths) are more and more desensitized to anonymously or semi-anonymously bullying or harassing other people (by way of the Internet)...I also think this is a growing problem, and tangible steps should be taken ot deal with it proactively, w/o punishing the victims or defending the bullies any more than they should be as minors
ReplyDeleteI think that parents are more aware of that fact that bullying is still a problem in schools. The parents probably dealt with bullying themselves and now that their kids are dealing with it the parents realize that it is still a problem and they know the effect that it might cause. As far as bullying on the rise, I think that its been the same for years and now is getting the attention it needs because its a problem that needed to be dealt with a long time ago.
ReplyDeleteRealistically, I think that we are doing all that can be done. Its up to the school and teachers to enforce it. As far as the schools that are not trying to solve the bullying problem or giving false advice to the students. Then it is up to the students and parents to step up and make sure that their school is doing the right thing with it comes to the subject of bullying. In addition, laws on bullying could have more severe punishment for the accused bully. Also, more media coverage would not hurt to make the problem more prevalent.
Bullying has always been a problem, however now it is being written on the internet where the person can read it, and others can add to it. It's a way of tormenting people when they aren't at school too.
ReplyDeleteFrom my experience parents and teachers don't do enough. I was bullied, and my teachers asked me what I did to make people bully me. My mum was angry that I wasn't fitting in.
You will never stop bullying, but that doesn't mean you shouldn't fight against it.
Bullying isn't on the rise. It has been constant for decades. I think it's more of an issue now because the media has showed us the outcome of bullying. (Like the shooting at Columbine.) It has always been around and it always will be. The best way for teachers and parents to protect these students from being a victim of bullying is to show them how to stand up for themselves. Maybe offer a self defense course for when things get physically dangerous. I was bullied all through elementary school and high school. The only way I survived was through my confidence and building a strong relationship with upper class men. They were my body guards so to speak. The students need to buck up and find their own defense tactic, because it's survival of the fittest. I don't agree with bullying, but there are ways to prevent it.
ReplyDeleteBethany Blake
I don't think that bullying is on the rise because of how much people have already done to get it put down. Bullying isn't exactly a bad thing, bullying of certain kinds is necessary to define character. Without bullies children would act in certain ways that aren't accepted in society and think its ok. Bullies give slight definition to children who act a certain way and make them see that they should be acting in line with regular social conventions. A prime example is Bronies, if kids aren't bullied for being bronies they begin to think that their behavior is normal when it isn't. Bullies in a way show children that if they act normal they won't get bullied, I understand it sounds bad but still these children need some definition of whats acceptable especially if their parents won't give it to them.
ReplyDeleteBullying has been the same. It seems like more because everyone is speaking up about it. I don't think the media is making a big deal. This needs to be addressed as much as the parents and the media can. Children can be very cruel to each other. They need to be taught that everyone is different and they are not special or better than anyone. Or better yet, teach them that everyone has something special to bring to the world. I think to help stop school bullying is to teach more diversity at a younger age. Example: Having a role play in a class. Have kids switch places for a week. have a group of children dress in all black with spikes, have one dress in ragged clothes, have one dress in name brand clothes. Then the goal is to write a journal everyday on how people look at them and how it makes them feel. have each group play the part and live the life for a good week. If I was a teacher at a middle school I would love to do something like this. I have been bullied. Its the worst feeling in the world at that age. No child should have to feel worthless or out of place. They have enough to go through at that age.
ReplyDeleteBullying is on rise! we live in a social level society, where its about materials and wealth. it over flows into the school systems and corrupts or children. children emulate their environment, so if there environment is harsh...that child tends to be a little more rough around the edges. entails makes him or her want to pick on other children who have more or less. majority of society wants bullying to stop, but if you think about it.. it has been a part of our cultural as human beings, since the beginning. we see it in movies, television, books and magazines, To humans its almost natural to do it. for example, parents, siblings, family members all pick on each other and we never think anything of it, but does it make it ok..no not at all. I'm a product of being bullied by family members and it has made realize that it has given me self-esteem issues. I personally think that bullying will never end, its too second nature to ridicule and bash other people for what their not doing, what they don't have, or for just trying to be successful in life. its a up hill battle that will never end.
ReplyDeleteI do believe that bullying is on the rise. I think that parents and media are trying to make ways to make people aware of bullying and the many effects it has taken on people. I think that although many people are aware of many bullying situations they still fail to do anything about it. I know of two people since I have been out of high school that have committed suicide due to bullying and no one even took the time or effort to solve the situation. I think some ways we can prevent it in schools is to teach kids at early age that it is wrong and although it may be too graphic to hear , teach them that children are killing themselves because of someone bullying them. I think that schools need to make much more of an effort to end bullying as soon as a school hears of a bullying situation there needs to be investigation immediately.
ReplyDeleteI don't feel that bullying itself is on the rise, but in no way do I feel that parents and the media are making too big a deal out of it. Much like how soldiers suffering from what is now known as PTSD that they "just had shell shock" and they needed to "get over it", bullying is being more widely recognized as a serious problem that can be prevented and resolved rather than a sign of weakness of those being tormented by their peers. In regards to actually stopping bullying altogether, I'm sad to say that I don't think that's truly possible. We can educate our children very early on about what it means to bully someone and what it can do to them, but bullying is an act of power. It's a means to somehow raise their own poor self esteem, and while the simple solution would be to help those children feel better about themselves, there are many cases where that just isn't possible.
ReplyDeleteI don't think bullying is as bad as it used to be, considering more people are being accepted for who they are. There are definitely still people of are part of different "cliques", but those cliques associate with each other more. I feel like teachers don't take action when a kid is being bullied. I also feel like parents do the same. They sort of blow it off thinking its just some kids playing. If the parents and teachers were to take action it would be a simple matter.
ReplyDeleteI defiantly believe that bullying just in the general has gotten worse. It's one thing to be bullied in physically but over the internet as well is ridiculous and terrible. Verbal abuse and mental abuse can have major impacts on a person. I'm not saying physical abuse is any better but when your mind is being effected by verbal and mental abuse it can result to a low self esteem and possibly depression. I understand that there is only so much that a person can do to protect their child or student but I've seen some teachers and parents turn away from the abusive situation. Or they ask what the child has done to deserve this kind of treatment. I mean this whole heartily when I say no one and I mean no one deserves to be bullied or abused mentally, physically, or verbally.
ReplyDeletereal world bullying is not necessarily on the rise but cyber bullying is, for reasons that are easy to understand. when someone can be spout insults and remain faceless it becomes easier to assault verbally and mentally someone in the online community. Though in all reality there is no way to completely stop such abuse. we see it everyday and all we can do in most cases is report the abuse and comfort the abused.
ReplyDeleteFor the first part both. I believe kids today can be alienated and exploited the likes of which we've never seen. and to add to that the media harp in my option just a little to much about it. One of the steps we can take that would reduce if not eliminate bulling is communication. Open dialect between kids and adults. If were upgrading in other forms of communication we should upgrade the original form as well.
ReplyDeleteI think alot of it is hyped up by the media. So it is probably not as big of an issue as it seems but, people are still being affected by cyber bullying. It is sad but, there isn't really a way to do anything about it other than raise awareness for it. Who is going to waste tax dollars or their own money to track blog sites or anything site that allows you to connect with other people. Really it would but up to the site and those who are being bullied to report it and have the bully be locked out of his account for a period of time.
ReplyDeleteAs time continues to move forward issues, such as bullying, tend to either decline or evolve. Today, bullying someone is rejected here in the United States; however this does not mean that bullying itself has been eradicated--it's only been concealed through privates scenarios like social media. Within our world of social media bullying is known to thrive within webpages like Facebook or Instagram or Twitter. Bullying is not on the rise, but rather still exists on a slow decline.
ReplyDeleteCedric Shirley
i think bullying is on the rise, but i don't think that it's as dramatic as the media is making it out to be. teachers should be more observant of their students, like what they are saying or how they act around certain people.
ReplyDeleteBullying occurs not only in public schools, but at other places like a 9-to-5 job, at home, and so on. Bullying could happen to anyone, regardless of age. Those that go through bullying face physical, mental, and emotional pain. There are those that go through kind of pain and grow stronger from the experience, and there are others that let those problems haunt them for the rest of their life until they do something about it. What I'm trying to say is bullying should occur at a younger age, so problems like that wouldn't haunt or effect you as a grown person.
ReplyDeleteBullying is on the rise due to social media. Social media gives students power to do and say things they normally would not say in real life. Hamilton County schools have taken action against bullying. They even have set up text services, where any student can text a number if they feel they are being bullied. The on site officer is then immediately sent to the students accused and the situation is taken care of. Unfortunately, I do not think these actions are taken place in every school. Nip the situation in the butt immediately, and it will not spiral out of control as many bullying situations often do.
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i do think some people make too big a deal out of it, but that doesn't mean that it still isn't happening. people should still do their part in order to stop kid from being emotionally scarred.
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