Bullying, according to StopBullying.com is “unwanted, aggressive behaviour among school aged children that involves a real or perceived power imbalance.” It is repeated or has the potential to be repeated over time. The act of bullying includes actions such as making violent threats, spreading rumours against the victim, physically or verbally assaulting someone, and rejecting someone from a group on purpose. This conflict is present not only in foreign institutions but also in our local schools in the Philippines.
There are several types of bullying: 1) Verbal, 2) Social, and 3) Physical. Verbal Bullying can be in either oral or written forms, verbally bullying someone means to tease them, call them inappropriate and unwanted names (name-calling), taunting, and in extreme verbal bullying: threatening someone to cause harm and giving inappropriate sexual comments. Social Bullying can also be referred as Relational Bullying, it involves the victim’s reputation and relationships. Their bullies can tell other members of the class not to be friends with them, rumours can be spread around against them, being embarrassed in front of an audience, and leaving them feel left out by other groups on purpose. The hitting of someone with pure intention is to physically bully them, Physical Bullying includes hitting, kicking or pinching parts of the victim, spitting on the victim, tipping or pushing the victim onto the floor or walls, taking or breaking the victim’s possessions, and making mean to rude hand gestures to the victim.
Bullying can have an effect on everyone – the bully, the bullied, and the witnesses of the act. It is linked to many negative outcomes including effects on mental state of mind, substance and drug use, and the most critical: suicide. It is important to have a one-on-one session with those involved to settle the conflict. It is also suggested to have the topic of bullying raised in discussions to determine whether it is a concern in the class or school.
Kids who are bullied can experience negativity in physical, social, and mental health. They are likely to experience depression and anxiety, feel sad and lonely. It can affect their sleeping and eating patterns and lose interest in activities they used to enjoy before they were bullied and it may persist into their adulthood. Those who are bullied are more likely to miss a class, skip a class, or completely drop out of school.
Kids who bully other kids can also engage in a more violent and possess an even riskier behaviour, carrying it into their adulthood. These bullies are more likely to get into fights, vandalize other properties, and also drop out of schools. In their adulthood, they may be alcoholic, drug abusers, have criminal convictions and traffic citations. In their family life, they can be abusive toward their spouses and children.
While the effects on the bullied and the bullies may differ, the effects on the bystanders or the witnesses less differ. They can also be exposed to mental issues such as depression and anxiety and may be vulnerable into missing or skipping school in fears of being the next prospect of the bully.
By: PATRICIA D. HERNANDEZ | Teacher III | Bantan Elementary School | Bantan , Orion , Bataan
