Bully op ed-3 - Grade: A PDF

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An opinion/educational essay piece about why the impacts of bullying could be positive. Four pages of information with supporting evidence and anecdotal scientific studies. ...

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Clark Herring Prof. Lamont ENG 240-01W Bullying: An Angel & Demon As a child throughout my time growing up in school, and even sometimes in college, I have faced bullying. My brother and my parents faced bullying and had their fair share of name-calling, harassment and sometimes physical encounters. Although many may view bullying as wrong or negative to one’s development, I strongly disagree. My mother sells healthcare, my father is an addiction counselor, and my brother is a set-artist for popular television shows, all of whom were told by people they’d never amount to nothing. Bullying in many ways is another form of adversity and social challenge, important skills to have into adulthood. Many great leaders have told in truth how their bullies were the inspiration for their success. At the same time the ways and language of bullying have changed over generations. The invention of the internet creates an entirely different bullying landscape and new science shows the impacts of bullying and the long-term effects on victims. Too often are kids told these days that if they get called a name or pushed their only option and choice should be to go to an authority figure such as a teacher or parent, but what does this actually teach our kids? Let’s say that that same kid grows up having this mentality and gets a job at a company in which few people hone their skills and their boss is underpaying their work. What will they do? Call up their parents to sit down and talk with their boss or the executive board with a sob story about how they’re too anxious to speak up? It’s dehumanizing and even more bullying to children; we are essentially telling kids they’re not strong enough to

stand up for themselves, that the bully is right and they need help always. This type of thinking can grow beyond handling a bully and could have detrimental impact on a young person’s developing social skills when it comes to finding a social-circle or romantic partner. The news is riddled with stories of children in these days having problems with severe anxiety, depression, self-harm, and in some of the worst cases suicide. While all of these examples are by no means any passive or light matter they also do not umbrella all of the outcomes of a victim of bullying. Throughout history many great leaders, influencers and celebrities experienced bullying and challenges before getting where they are. Winston Churchill, Abraham Lincoln, Oprah Winfrey and Megan Fox are just people who experienced severe bullying, neglect and awful interactions as kids and even young adults. Back then there was also less conversation about mental health, happiness and all that psychological bantar out today. Despite the lack of conversation these people handled their bullies far better than kids today who are practically pampered and start waterworks at the slightest put-down. Oprah Winfrey throughout her life was seen as not being very attractive and she herself was never able to recognize her physical appearance until being verbally abused by bullies on a mass-media scale. She spoke in one interview about how she was thankful to have such negative feedback early in her career otherwise she said she “would have still been in the same spot and not be who she is today”, the woman who donates millions of dollars to charities and non-profits and has changed the lives of an unfathomable amount of people. Aside from the examples of powerful people that have improved and benefited from being bullied early in their lives, there is also scientific research which shows the impacts of bullying on the perpetrator’s health. A study done by Duke University and published in Time

magazine discussed how those had done bullying showed lower levels of chronic low-grade inflammation, a condition relating to heart problems and cancer. There is also a study which finds a clear distinction between CEOs, managers and others in high-power positions that have reduced levels of anxiety and depression, and having been bullies in earlier in life. While this is not an excuse for outright harmful bullying, there is a distinction between being the top-dog in a sociological climate and physical health. This same effect of lower-grade inflammation can be seen in athletics, especially those who are team captain’s or leaders and involved in extracurricular activities. It would seem that presenting challenge or learning to maneuver through it can have some serious lasting-effects. While there is plenty of good supporting evidence for bullying there are others who would disagree and can show plenty of evidence supporting the negative impacts from bullying. Bullied kids, and those that bully can experience, serious, long lasting problems. Bullied kids often experience negative physical, social, and mental health issues. They’re more likely to suffer from depression or anxiety, have increased feelings of loneliness and sadness, and have health complaints. They’re also more likely to lose interest in the things they previously loved. Their sleeping patterns and eating patterns can change, and they are more likely to miss, skip, or drop out of school.

Since the invention of the internet bullying was able to maneuver it’s way around that and find another outlet for kids to be abusive. What been shown in studies is that nearly more than half of middle and high school students are exposed to cyber-bullying on a weekly basis either as victims, witnesses, or even perpetrators. The effect of cyber-bullying however is that unlike the more traditional forms of verbal and physical abuse, cyber-bullying stays around

impermeable. The spread of verbal rumors and insults about a person’s image, status or relationship can be seriously detrimental and everlasting, since most kids have cell phones and these messages staring them in the face all day. Most frightening about it is kid’s more than often do not speak to someone about their experiences in cyber-bullying.

Kids who bully others are more likely to abuse alcohol and other drugs while young and as adults. They’re more likely to get into fights or vandalize property. They have higher dropout rates, higher rates of criminal convictions and traffic citations as adults, and can even become abusive to their partners, spouses or children as adults. They can likely develop antisocial or behavioral tendencies that can affect their personal and professional relationships. Sometimes leading to divorce and unemployment.

From everything that has been discussed there is enough stand out evidence to support the impact of bullying on people as more than just a negative outcome. While equally there is scientific research which shows the true effect of bullying for both the victims and the bully. But the whe world cannot simply stand still and all get along hand in hand, it’s unnatural. We start off as babies unable to eat or clothe ourselves or even speak but given time and experience we learn these skills. Shouldn’t response to bullying be the same? Learning to truly evaluate social climates and one’s own place in the world comes from the challenges they face from a young age and into adulthood. But all of it must be approached carefully and strategically. We must also teach our kids that it is wrong to act in such ways toward each other but acknowledge that it is part of life....