As you probably know, bullying is all over the media and a problem that our society cares deeply about. I agree with the majority of society, that bullying hurts kids. However, bullying isn't as bad as you may think. There is a significant amount of good that stems from bullying. The emphasis on the anti-bullying campaign is how bullying causes suicide in students. However, there are many other factors which play a role in a decision to commit suicide. The supportiveness of the family, resources available, genetics, pervious mental illness, etc. Bullying may play a factor, but it's not the only reason in increased suicide rates.
Bullying is a normal part of growing up. Allow me to emphasize this: Youth picking on one another is absolutely normal. It teaches children valuable lessons and skills. It shows them how to grow a "tough skin." If there was no bullying, children wouldn't learn not to listen to what other people say about them. Children wouldn't learn to stand up for themselves, because if there was no bullying, there would be no reason for kids to stand up for themselves. There wouldn't be a reason for children to grow a backbone. In fact we, as a society, make every effort to remove bullying from schools, we are, at the same time, making sure that our children are ill-prepared for their future.
The working world is full of bullies, but no one is focused on the adult bullies, because since all factors of this equation are adults, they are expected to be equipped with the emotional tool and skills to cope with a workplace "bully." However, how can they be expected to attain these skills if they're so sheltered? Those who succeed have had to face and overcome adversity, including bullies. They have become stronger and grown into their own from the hardships they've faced. If we take those hardships away, then yes, children will have a more fulfilled childhood with less tears, but they are also more likely to have a less fulfilled adulthood. Survival of the fittest isn't something to be messed with.
Bullying is certainly unfortunate, and it causes a lot of stress and turmoil, but not without good reason or providing those involved with necessary skills to use later in life. Bullying isn't positive, or fun, or fair. But neither is life. There are aspects of life that aren't fair and are unjust, like bullying. I am in no way saying that bullying is great. However, I think the positive aspect of bullying is constantly overlooked. The anti-bullying campaign is great in theory, but it could be better if the focus was shifted. Put the emphasis on making children resilient - not sheltering them from the inevitable; life.
I'm sorry but I don't agree at all. This whole statement that there is a “positive to bullying” is an oxymoron to me. If you're saying that bullying is beneficial, (and you may be trying to find the good in the situation by saying that it allows them to grow “tough skin”, but your backup for it is completely unfounded and a little insulting, in my opinion) then I'm not sure you understand the full extent of what bullying entails.
ReplyDeleteI feel like you’re emphasizing bullying as being just ‘teasing’. But bullying nowadays goes far beyond just "picking on" kids and giving them swirlies or wedgies like we've seen in movies. It follows these kids home, constantly getting hate on Facebook or via text message. They can't escape it.
Furthermore, saying that bullying teaches kids to be resilient is only talking to the smallest of percentages. Don't downplay suicide by saying bullying doesn't have a huge thing to do with it, because it is proven it does, it wouldn’t be an epidemic in our society if we didn’t see this pattern. One of the first broadcast suicides that spiraled this on-going campaign was Phoebe Prince, who killed herself after being tormented day in and day out her freshman year at high school. This is not to mention the gay teen suicides that have happened as well, which were also a result of bullying in schools.
What I’ve taken from you're main argument is that teaching kids not to be cruel to each other is wrong and I do not see the sense in that at all. To say that children wouldn’t know how to stand up for themselves without bullying is ignorant. You don’t have to be bullied to know how to stand up for what you believe in, or to defend yourself. It all depends on the values and morals you are taught when you’re young. Sure, we can teach young people to be strong and whisper the "sticks and stones" mantra over and over again, but I can tell you from experience that it only holds for a little while. I don’t see in any way how bullying can be beneficial. Kids can learn to be resilient in much healthier ways.
Smallpox used to be "a normal part of growing up." Training women that their place was subordinate to men used to be a "normal part of growing up." Gay-bashing used to be "a normal part of growing up." And there's some pretty compelling scientific evidence out there that life is better without childhood diseases, without gender inequality, and without sexual orientation discrimination.
ReplyDeleteI was subjected to physical and mental bullying on a daily basis in middle and high school. I'm resilient and able to stand up for myself despite the cruelty of others, not because of it. But that's me; other victims withdrew into a lifetime of victimhoodness or ultimately, suicided.
Bullying is an inappropriate use of force with the intent of harming another person. Bullying is evil.
Bullying has numerous negative effects, trumping any positive effects in my mind. Think back to any children, pre-teens, or teens across the news that have committed suicide because of bullying. That fact alone seems to put a stale taste in my mouth when it comes to bullying.
ReplyDeleteI do agree that creating a "touch skin" is important, but I think it can be done in ways other than bullying. Teaching children to accept people for who he/she is, for what he/she looks like, and not caring about what other people think are important lessons to teach. Being realistic with children can help this as well. Not everyone will like everything you do; some people may not even like who you are. But telling children that those people exist, yet you can still exist alongside them is important. With age comes wisdom.