OPINION
BY BRITTANY MYERS, Freshman
Bullying isn't just about stealing lunch money anymore. It´s more about self-esteem, self respect, and intimidating others. Earlier this week, Fox News in Lakewood, Colorado, reported that a 9 year old tried to take his own life at his school due to bullying. Today, multiple news outlets reported that bullying could leave lasting mental affects on it's victims.
The Victims and the effects
Bullying is probably one of the most underrated problems in the school system. Year after year there's a suicide or someone out there contemplating it, children and teens self-harming themselves, diagnosed with depression--the list goes on and on. But why isn't there anything being done to stop it?
Many students who have been victims of bullying may resort to skipping classes, avoiding certain places, or even skipping school altogether.
Bullying can be verbal, physical, or mental. According to a statistic made from May 2009 to July 2013 by Stop A Bully, the majority of students said they experienced name calling/insults, physical assaults, and bullying involving their friends and peers. Other types of bullying the majority of students selected were threats/intimidation, cyberbullying and spreading of rumors.
Earlier cases of bullying can lead to personality disorders and mental disorders. According to National Voices For Equality Education And Enlightment (NVEEE), suicide remains the leading cause of death for children under the age of 14.
How can it be stopped
People need to start caring more. Nonchalant adults in the school system such as teachers, administrators, counselors, and heads of school districts, need to start thinking more about the students instead of a paycheck. They should also quit focusing on students and people that make them look good or actually ¨do something¨ for the school or districts image nationally.
When students report bullying or students witness it, school districts and even parents need to urge their children to speak up. Everyone has feelings.
Sympathy for the bully
Not all bullies are the cool kids with the best clothes, hairstyles, and bodies. Some of them may be the sad ones.
In some cases it could be that the bully does not have good grades or feel they are not as good looking as their victim. When I think about kids who bully very violently such as physical abuse or mental abuse, I can imagine what in the world could be going on in their life that could be causing them so much hatred for others.
At times, their time at home is not pleasant at all. Some parents could be abusing their children physically or mentally. Kids may have to endure the sight of seeing their mother knocked around by their father or neglect from their parents. It could be anything, but nobody would ever know because they would never tell.
Bullies could be taught how to control their anger and overall emotions. Many could want to change and leave others alone but just need that extra help on becoming a better version of themselves.
Does the school system really care?
A solution to bullying could be created but again, who really cares?
It´s sad to think about. How a kid by law is forced to go to a school for 7 hours that they don´t feel comfortable in. Harrassment could be taking place on the school campus for how ever long, but the school never goes back to review the footage until something happens.
There's always those adults who students feel are suppose to be someone to rely on on and that are suppose be by the child´s side, but then they themselves go off and talk about the student when they have finally decided to ask for help.
In a time when everybody only really care about themselves, it´s hard to find that one adult that is going to be there. It´s sad that the star teachers and administrators of a school could care less about a child's ultimate well being.
I´ve dealt with all kinds of adults for this reason. I´m not fooled by the fake smiles on their faces trying to show that they care about the situation.
How far a Zero-Tolerance policy goes is up for debate. Many cases don´t really get reviewed. There's not a whole lot of action that takes place unless something reaches a national level and then everybody and the president is watching to see how the district handles something.
