Bullying in Schools: Terrorism or Child’s Play Essay

Whether you call it harassment, intimidation, or bullyrag, this form of violence affects many aimdays pincerren each day as they enter their classrooms. Bullying is defined as having three essential components (1) vulturine behavior that involves unwanted negative actions (2) a pattern of behavior repeated over time and (3) an asymmetry of power or strength (Olweus, nd). Bullying is non a new phenomenon in prep atomic number 18s. It has been prevalent for decades, solely the recent reports of suicide amongst bullied children, as well as school shootings as pay back for the torment, is insurrection in alarming rates. Physical taunting, such as hitting and spitting, along with verbal name affair and malicious threats, turn school environments into a climate of fear and terror for these children.Psychologically, children are affected when they are socially excluded, have vicious rumors spread about them or are humiliated passing(a) (Ericson, 2001). The impacts of ballyrag f ollow these children into adulthood, leading to depression, mental health issues and physical problems that affect the healthcare system. Programs that recognize, intervene, and prevent determent essential be implemented in schools to prevent the long-term health issues that will arise in feeler years. As a confederacy, a clear message must be sent to ensure that blusterous will not be tolerated in schools, consequences will be executed for those defying the programs and that a safe, risk relinquish environment will be provided for all children. The former mentality of kids will be kids will no longer be tolerated.Types of BullyingBullying can be seen in a variety of behaviors. Dan Olweus, a pioneer in the study of bullying and the author of The Olweus Bullying prevention Program (Olweus, nd), defines various types of bullying that affect the health and welfare of school-age children. The nine most prominent are1. Verbal bullying including uncomplimentary comments and bad na mes2.Bullying through social isolation3. Physical bullying such as hitting, kicking, shoving or spitting4. Bullying through lies and false rumors5. Having money taken or things damaged by students who bully6. Being threatened or forced to do things by students who bully 7. Racial bullying8. Sexual bullying9. Cyber bullying including cell phones and Internet (Olweus, nd).According to the U.S. Department of Justice, a report by the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD) found that 17 percent of surveyed children responded to having been bullied by others sometimes or workweekly, 19 percent had bullied others sometimes or weekly, and 6 percent had both bullied others and were bullied themselves. The survey, the initiative areawide research on bullying in the United States, questioned 15,686 public and private school students in grades six through ten. Through this research, it was found that 1.6 million children were bullied at least once a week and 1.7 mil lion children bully others just as frequently (Ericson, 2001).Effects of BullyingThe American Medical reliefer recognizes bullying as a public health problem that leads its dupes to suffer from healthcare issues. Forums are held by researchers and healthcare professionals to combat the effects and problems associated with bullying. Among the hindrances identified by researchers and experienced by those who are bullied are headaches, sleep problems, stomach troubles, low self-esteem, depression, loneliness, and thoughts of suicide (Fleming & Towey, 2002).Researchers have found that as many as 160,000 students stay national from school on any given day for fear of organism bullied (Fleming & Towey, 2002). Students have a in good order to feel safe in school and receive the stress free education they deserve. The AMA recognizes that bullying is not just an educational problem or strictly a problem to be addressed by schools and parents. It is understood that this is a healthcare is sue that must alike be taught to be recognized in medical and nursing schools alike (Fleming & Towey, 2002).Regulatory IssuesCurrently forty-five states have anti-bullying laws. The state of South Carolina adopt anti-bullying legislation in 2006. Current legislation mandates each school district to adopt a form _or_ system of government prohibiting harassment, intimidation, or bullying at school. The school district must involve parents and guardians, school employees, volunteers, students, administrators, and community representatives in the process of creating the policy (National Association of State Boards of Education, 2009).Most states have suitable laws that reflect what bullying is, how it affects the victim and what school districts must do to decrease the harassment. While this anti-bullying legislation looks perfect on paper, what many school districts lack is enforcement of these regulations within their schools. In January 2010, 15 year old Phoebe Prince from South H adley, Massachusetts, hanged herself after being harassed and bullied for months from students at her high school. enlighten officials failed to stop it, even though the bullying was common intimacy for months. Phoebes mother twice complained to school staffers, and some bullying was witnessed by teachers (Hampson, 2010).Goals and Recommended SolutionsThe goal is not only to design effective school policy on bullying but to drag it of the essence(p) to implement and impose its content. A zero-tolerance disciplinary policy must be adopted which would enforce expulsions for fighting, bullying, and vehement behaviors (Almond, 2008). Evaluating the policys effectiveness to assess the sanctuary and security of the school and identify actions that can make improvements can be accomplished through student and parent surveys. Reports of bullying from victims and teachers will heighten community awareness and will determine whether changes in policy or law must be initiated. It is also necessary to have everyone on the local level involved.Not only school officials and educators, but janitors, lunchroom workers, school nurses, and parents must be willing to make bullying education part of the school curriculum and anxious(predicate) to contribute to the programs. Keeping abreast of current anti-bullying information is essential. Web sites like www.bullyinginfo.org and www.stopbullyingnow.hrsa.gov provide current info and resources associated with bullying (Rudolph, 2010).In October 2010, the South CarolinaAssociation of School Administrators (SCASA) initiated the Bullying Prevention Initiative through a federal grant (Long, 2010). They are selecting four pilot schools in the state to execute the Olweus Bullying Prevention Program, which is known to decrease bullying by 25 to 50 percent if properly instituted. The training is not mandated by state law and costs about $2000 dollars per elementary school (Long, 2010). Many school officials are hesitant to begin th e program because of the cost, but how can we put a price on the safety and health of children? ConclusionTo allow bullying to take place in any school is a travesty. The devastating effects may impact children for their entire lives. Healthcare providers, educators, local government, and parents must work in concert to bring this healthcare issue to a halt. Enforcement of policies must be taken seriously and consequences enforced. This problem affects thousands of students daily and can no longer be tolerated. Suicide and health implications do not occur from childs play. Bullying is a form of terrorism, and those who oppress and torment others must be disciplined for their actions.ReferencesAlmond, L. (2008). School Violence. (pp 19). Farmington Hills, MI Greenhaven Press. Ericson, N. (2001). Addressing the Problem of Juvenile Bullying (Vol. 27). Washington, DC Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention. Fleming,M and Towey, K,( Eds.) (2002). educational Forum on Adoles cent Health Youth Bullying. Chicago American Medical Association. Retrieved fromhttp//www.ama-assn.org/ama1/pub/ transfer/mm/39/youthbullying.pdf Hampson, R. (2010, April 4). A Watershed Case in School Bullying. USA Today. Retrieved from http//www.usatoday.com/news/nation/2010-04-04-bullying_N.htm Kaiser, C. (2009, May 29). Call bullying what it is terrorizing. Philadelphia Health Care Examiner. Retrieved from http//www.examiner.com/health-care-in-philadelphia/call-bullying-what-it-is-terrorizing?r Long, M. (2010, October 26). Educators introduce new