Proposing a Solution: Bullying Essay

Bullying among American elementary, middle and high school students is a growing problem. Bullying has been defined many ways, by many people. One definition is unwanted, aggressive behavior among school aged children that involves a real or perceived imbalance of power. (stopbullying.org). Bullying is a very negative act and honestly needs to be stopped. This essay will provide my solution for the growing bullying problem in our schools. Over the years, bullying has become more and more of a problem. More children are becoming victims of this often tragic problem today than ever before. Honestly, anyone can become a victim of bullying but there has been a rise in bullying among LGTB, lesbian-gay-transgendered-bi-sexual, students, as well as children who are considered to be of special needs. (Bullying statistics). There are many causes for bullying, which in order to be able to handle and fix the problem, must be dealt with before a solution can take effect. These causes may include: poverty, problems or abuse within the home, a feeling of power from age or body size, provocative or â€Å"annoying† victims, and a need to feel better about themselves as a person. (Cheever, Jenny). Bullying, especially in schools is a serious problem that occurs almost on a daily basis. Bullying can happen anywhere and at any time. In schools it can happen on the playground, the cafeteria, hallways, buses and even in the classroom. Bullying is serious and can lead to many often tragic problems. Sadly, bullying happens more than people really want to believe. According to studies shown on Bullying Statistics.org, at least 60% of middle school children say they have been bullied, only 16% of their teachers actually believe students are bullied, and 160,000 students who have been or are bullied stay at home each day because of bullying. (Bullying statistics.org). Bullying is becoming more and more extreme. More students are taking drastic measures because they feel they have no one to turn to. According to the center for disease control, suicide is the third leading cause of death among school aged children today. (Bullying statistics.org). In fact, according to several studies, 20% of high school students have seriously considered suicide in the last year as an option alternate to being bullied, almost 7% have actually attempted it, and suicide results in about 4,400 deaths per year among young people. (Burns, Tim). The need for bullying to be stopped is strong, and the only way this can be achieved is if parents, students, and educators as a whole begin working together. Students can help solve the bullying problem by banding together and reporting any incidents of bullying they see, including kids who seem like outcasts into their friendship circles, also using the acronym â€Å"steer clear†: Stick up for one another, Travel in a group, Empathize, Explore your choices, Resist using fists, Calm down, Leave, Enlist the help of others, Assert yourself, and Report incidents could help tremendously. Parents can help by: talking to their children, keeping lines of communication between themselves, their kids and the schools open, developing a personal safety plan and empowering their kids to openly talk about bullying with teachers and administrators. Schools can ultimately eradicate bullying by: promoting tolerance within the school and community, create anti-bullying policies in both the classroom and the school, teach students how to handle bullying the right way, and what I believe to be the most important solution; teaching students and teachers alike the importance of stopping and reporting bullying immediately. (Thinkquest.org). Bullying is extremely negative and honestly needs to be stopped as soon as possible, I think if we all band together and do what we can to implement these solutions we can end this problem immediately.