Elise Vertefeuille WSC 01-04

February 29, 2012 Social Justice Essay

Bullying: The Worldwide Epidemic

According to bullyingstatistics.blogspot.com, statistics show that one in every thirty children leave school with a hatred of an education system that tolerates bullying, and isolates, ridicules, and excludes those who are in any way different. Bullying is one of the fastest spreading epidemics in todays society. In a world where our youth doesnt feel safe, what can we do to make the world a more equitable and humane place? In order to determine why bullying takes place, we need to determine the reasons bulling happens. Bullies often come from homes where physical punishment is used, where the children are taught to strike back physically as a way to handle problems, and where parental involvement and warmth are frequently lacking. Bullying also happens because the perpetrator had been bullied, thereby making it seem okay to act out this way towards peers. What children witness in society can also have an impact on whether or not they bully. The actions and words that are shown on television, and in music videos can sometimes give children the wrong impressions, making it seem acceptable to degrade their peers or act out in a certain way. Considering the variety of reasons that bullying happens, we should consider the different types of bullying. Physical bullying includes any physical contact that would injure a person, such as punching and kicking. Unlike physical, verbal bullying consists of name-calling and joking about a persons religion, ethnicity or any other personal characteristic. When rumors are spread to hurt a persons reputation indirect bullying is

Vertefeuille 2 taking place. Another type of bullying, social alienation, includes excluding someone from a group to make them feel left out or isolated. Intimidation, which is threatening someone to make him or her do what the bully wants, and finally Cyberbullying, which happens by sending messages, pictures, or information that is hurtful using electronic media, and computers. With so many different reasons individuals bully, and so many ways in which bullying takes place, Americas news is constantly revealing stories of bullycide; suicide caused by bullying. This term was first used in 2001 but is much more common today. On January 14th, 2010 Phoebe Prince hanged herself from constant harassment at her school in Massachusetts. She was a 15-year-old girl who had moved to Massachusetts from Ireland. Her case really brought forward the severity of the problem of bullying in U.S. school systems. In October, 2010, otherwise known as Spirit Day, people were urged to wear purple to support the friends and families of six boys who committed suicide because they were bullied about their sexuality. Stories just like this are constantly played on the news. Even though bullying is common, it doesnt mean it cant be prevented. In March 2010, I created my own non-profit organization called P.E.A.C.E., Providing Empathy and Compassion Education. I went to elementary schools in Connecticut, where I educated fourth graders on the importance of being empathetic and compassionate individuals, and on accepting diversity. By targeting their emotions, and participating in group activities they realized the impact bullying has on one another. Knowing I was making a difference in these childrens lives was rewarding.

Vertefeuille 3 The prevalence of bullying has become immense in society. When we know the reasons our youth bully, the types of bullying, and ways we can prevent it from happening, we can stop this worldwide epidemic from spreading. Bullying doesnt need to happen, lets team up to make it stop.