Bullying in schools is a worldwide problem that can have negative consequences for the general school climate and for the right of students to learn in a safe environment without fear. Bullying can also have negative lifelong consequences–both for students who bully and for their victims.

            Bullying is comprised of direct behaviors such as teasing, taunting, threatening, hitting, and stealing that are initiated by one or more students against a victim. In addition to direct attacks, bullying may also be more indirect by causing a student to be socially isolated through intentional exclusion.

            Students who engage in bullying behaviors seem to have a need to feel powerful and in control. They appear to derive satisfaction from inflicting injury and suffering on others, seem to have little empathy for their victims, and often defend their actions by saying that their victims provoked them in some way. Studies indicate that bullies often come from homes where physical punishment is used, where the children are taught to strike back physically as a way to handle problems, and where parental involvement and warmth are frequently lacking. Students who regularly display bullying behaviors are generally defiant or oppositional toward adults, antisocial, and apt to break school rules.

            Students who are victims of bullying are typically anxious, insecure, cautious, and suffer from low self- esteem, rarely defending themselves or retaliating when confronted by students who bully them. They may lack social skills and friends, and they are often socially isolated.

            To overcome the growing problem regarding bullying, here is a list of ways on how to lessen and eventually stop the act of bullying.

Five Practical Ways to Stop Bullying and Intolerance:

1) Recognize and Respond

            Bullying and intolerance manifest as verbal, written or physical acts that harm another person.

• Educate students, parents and staff about taking bullying seriously and how to recognize it. Make an action plan to respond swiftly to incidents and daily teasing.
• Identify and monitor places where most bullying happens
• Provide opportunities for students to share their feelings, problems or ideas.
• Get students involved in organizing anti-bullying forums where they resolve problems.
• Model ways for young people to intervene and speak up. Practice withrole-playing.
• Help youth develop effective phrases to reject negative comments or social media posts.
• Have older students help younger students learn to speak up.
• Connect with young people and create the trust that will help them come forward if they are being bullied.
• Listen to them, pay attention and offer support when students are upset or sad.
• Create a coalition of elected, school and civic community leaders to sign a school-wide pledge to say “Stop Bullying.”
• Conduct seminars or school-wide activities supporting the anti-bullying campaign.
• Make the community take part on the program “This school is a zone of peace” program of the education department.

2) Create Dialogue

            Create opportunities for open dialogue with youth about bullying and intolerance. Let students lead through peer-to-peer action.

3) Encourage Bystanders to Become “Upstanders”

            Upstanders are people who stand up for themselves and others.

4) Foster Safety and Inclusion

            Identify safe and welcoming environments that promote inclusion and acceptance, places where students feel everyone is respected and their identity is valued.

5) Educate Your Community

            Partner with others to take joint action in educating students, teachers and parents about bullying in your school and community.

By: MARK ANTHONY C. BAUTISTA | Teacher III | Sabatan Elementary School | Orion District | Orion, Bataan