There was a student in a local high school who was passionate about art. He loved painting and drawing; he spent a lot of time in the art room on breaks. However, a group of students started making fun of his artwork calling it all sorts of rude names. They would laugh at his artwork and ruin his paintings and drawings. He tried to ignore them as much as he possibly could, but it kept getting worse day by day. Their behavior affected his work and ruined his confidence in his art. He began to skip class and felt hopeless about the whole situation. He even made a statement saying “Maybe the bullies were right” which wasn’t him at all. The teacher had noticed a change in his behavior and his performance in the classroom altogether and instantly knew something was off about him. That is when the teacher decided to step in and have a conversation with him about the bullying. They all began to work together to address the issue, involving the school administration and the parents of the students involved. The bullies were given consequences and respectfully apologized to him. He gained a lot of friends from this incident, friends who made his life better and even helped him get his confidence back. When he returned, it was like he never left. Many times, bullying issues don’t end this well. Although our society is well aware of the repercussions of bullying, it is a pervasive issue in schools and communities and continues to wreak havoc on the lives of countless individuals, leaving deep emotional and psychological scars.
Bullying has always been a part of any group development from the earliest civilizations. It appears in religions, militaries, schools, neighborhood cliques, teams, families, and companies (Tarolla). For many years, bullying was simply the division of the strong from the weak; however, because of awareness, bullying was brought from its dark secret life into the light. It first became a major issue in the public sector. Schools and government agencies began taking an avid interest in safeguarding against it. Later, the interest spilled over into private sector workplaces. During the early mid-1990s, more American researchers began studying the problem of psychologically abusive behaviors at work and the harm these behaviors create. Today workplace bullying incidents are four times more common in all U.S. organizations than sexual harassment episodes, and the related costs to businesses are also four times higher (Calli,2024), In behavioral studies, bullying is now often closely linked to suicide and violence. The seriousness of the problem warrants that employers implement a sensible duty of care program in response. Bullying has been defined as a subcategory of interpersonal aggression categorized by intentional repetition, and an imbalance of power, with abuse of power being a primary distinction between bullying and other forms of aggression. In ancient times, bullying was often a part of everyday life. For example, in ancient Greece and Rome, physical strength and dominance were highly valued, and those who were weaker or different faced ridicule and harassment. This behavior was encouraged to toughen individuals up (Tarolla, 2017). In recent decades, there has been a growing awareness of the serious impact of bullying on individuals and communities.
Research has shown that bullying can lead to long-term psychological and emotional damage. Bullying can severely damage a person’s self-esteem and self-worth, leading to feelings of helplessness and worthlessness. The victims of bullying often experience high levels of anxiety and depression (Ching, 2022). The constant stress and fear can lead to long-term mental health issues. Many victims also withdraw from social interactions, becoming isolated and lonely. They may avoid school settings to avoid bullying. School shooting is another factor when being bullied. Perpetrators of school violence sometimes cite bullying as a reason for their actions. Bullying is a significant risk factor for suicidal thoughts and behaviors. Studies have shown that victims of bullying are more likely to consider or attempt suicide compared to nonvictims (Kwan, 2022). The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that among young people ages 10-24, suicide is the second leading cause of death and bullying is a significant contributing factor. Many children and their families opt for homeschooling to escape the bullying environment. The school environment including safety and bullying are among the top reasons parents choose to homeschool their children. The U.S. The Department of Education reported that in 2016, about 3% of the school-age population was homeschooled, with many parents citing bullying as a primary reason (Calli, 2024).
Victims of bullying often experience feelings of anxiety, depression, and low self-esteem. They may feel isolated, ashamed, and helpless. These emotional scars can persist long after the bullying has stopped. While bullies may seem confident, their behavior often stems from their insecurities or issues at home. They might feel guilt or shame for their actions, especially if they face consequences or realize the harm they’ve caused. Bullies are at risk for developing antisocial behaviors and may struggle with guilt and remorse. They might also face social and academic challenges if their behaviors lead to disciplinary actions. Family members and friends of both the victim and the bully can experience various emotions, including anger, sadness, and frustration. They may feel helpless or unsure of how to support their loved ones. The impact of bullying is profound and far-reaching, affecting not just the individual directly involved but also their wider social circles. It’s important for everyone to seek support and counseling to address these emotional and psychological scars.
From physical assaults to cyber bullying, the various forms of bullying create an environment of fear and insecurity, hindering personal growth and academic success. Parents play a crucial role in preventing cyberbullying and associated harms. Be aware of what your kids are doing online, whether you check your child's device or talk to them about their online behavior, or install a monitoring program (Abramson, 2022). The devastating effects of bullying extend beyond the immediate victims, impacting families, friends, and the broader society. Addressing the root causes and implementing effective prevention and intervention strategies are crucial steps in combating this epidemic and fostering a safer, more inclusive environment for all.
References
Abramson, A. (2022, September 7). Cyberbullying: What is it and how can you stop it? American Psychological Association. https://doi.org/10.1037/e504312023-001
Hymel, S., & Swearer, S. M. (2015). Four decades of research on school bullying: An introduction. American Psychologist, 70(4), 293–299. https://doi.org/10.1037/a0038928
Kwan, C., et al. (2022, February 28). Youth bullying and suicide: Risk and protective factor profiles for bullies, victims, bully-victims, and the uninvolved. International Journal of
Environmental Research and Public Health, U.S. National Library of Medicine. www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8910292/
Tarallo, M. (2017, May 1). A brief history of bullying. ASIS Homepage. www.asisonline.org/security-management-magazine/articles/2017/05/a-brief-history-of-bullying/
Tzani, C. (2024, October 4). Childhood bullying can cause lifelong psychological damage – Here’s how to spot the signs and move on. The Conversation. [URL_5]
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