The Bullying Epidemic
The growth of bullying and how it is treated play a large role in today’s culture, as shown by the increased media coverage of school shootings and suicide that can be linked to harassment at school and the “Zero Tolerance Anti-Bullying” policies. Bullying has become so relevant that numerous academic studies have been done to understand the causes and effects of it and determine the best approach to dissolving it as an issue. What counts as bullying? Classic examples of bullying include physical harassment, such as beating up another child or stealing their lunch money, and hate speech, while signs of bullying included depression and school phobia. A more recent definition of bullying, however, could include name-calling, sarcasm, social exclusion, and unfriendly behavior. Signs of bullying have also been broadened to feeling upset or sad (Porter). While bullying is most often reported in schools, it can occur anywhere from the lower grades of elementary school to the adult workplace and forensic settings. There are multitudinous causes and effects of both major and minor forms of bullying across all ages.
Provocative behavior that incites anger toward the individual, such as
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Studies repeatedly show that individuals who could be seen as weaker and more vulnerable physically or emotionally, who are quiet, introverted, passive, or unassertive, or who are atypical or stand out in some way are more likely to be bullied than others (Ireland; Wong). One reason individuals with one or more of the personality traits listed may be targeted for harassment could be because more people would be likely to stand by and let it happen, while another reason could be that such people are less likely to reach out for help, perhaps being afraid to make the situation worse or having already experienced