Writing 103-- Persuasive Blog Post--2:00 Class
OPINION: Bullying Isn't "Kids Being Kids" It's a Moral Failure We Keep Ignoring
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.
Whether or not you be humiliated, harassed, or physically harmed before the day ends due
to things that are out of your personal control.
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’ it is repeated, intentional harm that
Schools and society have far too often normalized. This leads to holding permanent scars,
both physically and emotionally.
Bullying has long been dismissed as a normal part of growing up. Something tough kids endure, but
simply move on from. But in reality, that is an outdated way of looking at the issue.
Every day for these children within our country and around the world feels like a
fight for survival, something they have to endure rather than escape.
They have little to no support; the tragedy these children have to face is an undeniable truth.
The mental strain of being ridiculed has rendered children quiet, anxiety-ridden, and with
a constant impression that they are never going to be enough. This feeling didn’t just stay in the
moment; it follows them into every interaction, shaping how they see themselves and their peers.
This makes children feel as if they are never enough to reach out and ask for basic help. Or to
simply cry to someone when they need assistance dealing with consistent bullying.
These processes showed me the undeniable truth: bullying is socially and morally unjust.
That's not "character building," that's damage. And why should we as a society tolerate this?
The social development of a child goes down the drain when hateful words start to get involved.
Conversations get weaker because of the perception of judgment, with a large portion of this
being related to bullying and consistent disapproval from other classmates/peers.
This isn't just me saying this; the data proves it all to be true.
Research from 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.” Why let our youth face these potential issues
when they can be solved with further education and strict discipline?
children need to learn how to deal with difficult things in life, such as bullying to grow tough
skin. 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.
If anything, the normalization of bullying reflects a broader failure, one rooted in social neglect
and moral imbalance. A fault that can be reduced through coordinated action from students,
educators, and school policy reform.
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.
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 the well-known 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 and bringing together those who caused harm
and those who were affected to discuss the hurtful impact, whilst creating a subtle form of accountability.
Another social factor that can put a halt to bullying is standing up for a kid who is being
bullied, as many stand by and watch. Being proactive has been scientifically proven to
lessen victimization by up to 25%. That's not insignificant; that's millions of students
experiencing less harm simply because someone chose to not stay silent.
Many will conclude that these solutions cause surface-level compliance, not
changing underlying attitudes.
Even though schools may start 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 stop 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.
The solution isn't complicated. But it does require commitment to the cause. Intervention and
education in schools can make a measurable difference. But the real question is whether or not
we are willing to act. Or, continue to pretend that this is just a part of growing up.
Because you and I both know it's not. It's a choice, and right now, we are choosing wrong.
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