Writing 103--Persuasive Blog Post--2:00

      Why Bullying isn't just socially corrupt, but morally wrong 

                Imagine a life where your biggest worries aren’t about an upcoming project or exam

              within a classroom setting, but the everlasting realization that you will get mortified by other students

              due to things that are out of your personal control, whether this be religion, gender, race, etc.

              Constantly in fear, dreading day-to-day interactions. For millions of children worldwide, this is their

             brutal reality. Bullying is not simply ‘kids being kids’; this form of hurt is intentional, precise, and

             consistent. Holding permanent scars, both physically and emotionally.

 

The social development of a child goes down the drain when hateful rhetoric is involved.

 Conversations get weaker because of the perception of judgment, with a large portion of this

 being related to systematic bullying and consistent disapproval from other classmates/peers.

 According to the School of Medicine, Democritus University of Thrace, “Bullying victimization

 is a common problem during adolescence; it has been associated with psychiatric problems such

 as anxiety and depression.” (Annalakashi, N.) Why let our youth face these potential issues

 when they can be solved with further education and strict discipline?

 While yes, many state that bullying ‘is a part of social growth and development,’ this still does

 not address the possibility of a victim's mental health being at stake due to the irresponsibility of

 another child’s words and or actions. My verdict on this issue is to teach the youth to treat

 others with equal respect and gratitude. We can start this enforcement at school districts, one of,

 if not the most prevalent, places for bullying to occur.

                This Is The Most Powerful Message On Bullying I've Ever Seen!

Behavioral changes with students usually stem from home interactions, whether that be from

 family or friends. Implementing change in the place a child spends most of their waking hours

 can create phenomenal results for the decrease in bullying. A study conducted by Lauren Herlitz

and Chris Bonnel explores this topic in detail, within their study labeled “Capacities to sustain

 intervention to prevent bullying,” concluding that to cease most harassment among students was

 a restorative practice rather than harsh punishment for the psychological aspect of bullying.

 This act is to foster relationships, building empathy, bringing together those who caused harm

 and those who were affected to discuss the hurtful impact, whilst building accountability.

 Another social factor that can inhibit bullying is physically standing up for an individual who is being

 bullied, as many stand idle by and watch. Being proactive has been scientifically proven to

 lessen victimization by up to 25%. (Navinahita) While to some this may not seem like a high

 percentage, this simple procedure stops millions of kids from dealing with continued torment

 within school settings.

 

Another argument many will conclude is that these solutions cause surface-level compliance, not

 changing underlying attitudes. Even though schools may implement certain policies, such as

 restorative practice, they might not work. To that, I state that gradual change comes with

 consistent results. The effort to put action towards ending bullying within a school setting

 enforces a social construct that helps shift school culture away from bullying. This practice is

 not to completely halt all forms of harassment within public schooling, but rather to start a

 chain of cultural standards that then starts progress with a problem overlooked within society.

 

 

Bullying isn’t just an issue that can be tossed aside. Rather, a clear moral failure that harms

 individuals in ways that can be irreversible. This is shown through the effects it has on mental

 health, social development, and the way a victim feels internally. Bullying conjures an

 environment based on fear rather than dignity and respect. Change does not happen instantly,

 but with education and involvement in this cause, schools can start to implement various

 practices to inhibit acts of harm. If our society continues to overlook bullying as harmless,

 millions of children will continue to be affected. This is a responsibility we must uphold to

 make sure students across the globe are treated with humanity.