Bullying in School Has Become Serious Issue

Is bullying a part of a more normal aspect of children’s behavior? Has bulling become a more serious problem? The answer is yes! I remember that at one point in my middle school years, I was bullied. Fortunately it didn’t get too serious because my parents moved me from the school I was attending. Not everyone has that luck. CNN reported "Just prior to his death he was stripped nude, tied up and again placed into a trashcan", (Kuo, 2011, para.4). This happened to Jon Carmichael, 13, who committed suicide, hanging himself after being bullied. Bullying is defined as when a teen’s behavior is purposefully meant to harm or disturb another child, when it occurs repeatedly over time. Further, bullying behaviors include anything from verbal belittling regarding race, looks or speech, hitting, pushing or slapping. It also includes rumors, sexual comments or gestures. Many argue that there is no real way to prevent bullying. Kids will be kids and that is all there is to it. But, because of the incredibly negative effects that have recently been found to occur to the victims of bullying, there has been an active effort to limit bullying. The solutions are easy ones, and easy to practice. Often times, students fall victim to the bystander effect, simply by letting the bullying occur. It is in the hands of the kids and the teachers. The teachers need to listen and watch. They have to pick up on the clues that a child is being bullied. As for students, to embrace the victim is to tell the bully that what they are doing is unacceptable. The bully will stop if the bully knows that they are not getting the kind of attention they sought through bullying. It is a group effort, and an effort that is worth it. According to Indicators of School Crime Safety, bullying continues to be a serious problem, particularly in middle schools, where 10% of students in grades 6 and 7 reported to be bullied, compared to 5% of students in grades 8 and 9, (Indicators of School