According to www.how-to-stop-bullying.com, 77% of students are bullied. The definition of bullying, as stated by the same website, has recently changed. The verb “bully” is defined by the Merriam-Webster dictionary as “to treat abusively” (Merriam-Webster). However, there are various ways to abuse someone. So, based on the definition provided by www.bullyingstatistics.org, any form of verbal, social, physical, and cyberbullying abuse is considered bullying (Naas).
Bullying is a widespread problem that is frequently tackled through movies, songs, and educational efforts. It is crucial to comprehend the reasons behind bullying and its effects. To bring clarity to this issue, Ian Rivers, a researcher from Brunel University in the UK, conducted an extraordinary experiment. The study involved directly questioning teenagers about what drives them to engage in bullying. Remarkably, numerous participants confessed that they found satisfaction in bullying, which explains their continued involvement in such actions.
Rivers states that the bully’s motivation stems from differences between themselves and the victim, such as sexual orientation, grades, sport performance, and possessions (Rettner). The bully manipulates the situation to make it seem like the victim is at fault and deserving of humiliation and ridicule. By doing this, the bully protects their own conscience while further oppressing the victim. This allows them to rationalize their actions and feel justified. This justification does not come from a specific adult figure but rather from every adult involved. Each time an adult fails to intervene in conflicts, they reinforce the belief that bullying behavior is acceptable. Passively indifferent adults contribute to this harmful mindset.
References
- “Facts on Bullying.” Bullying statistics. BullyingStatistics.org, 2009. Web. 24 Mar 2012.
- how-to-stop-bullying.com. “Bullying Statistics.” How to stop bullying. N.p., 2009. Web. 24 Mar 2012.
- Rettner, R. “Bullies On Bullying: Why We Do it.” Live science. Live Science, 2010. Web. 24 Mar 2012.
- Merriam-Webster. “Dictionary.” Bully. Merriam-Webster Incorporated, 2012. Web. 24 Mar 2012.
- Sharp, Sonia. “How Long Before it Hurts?.” School Psychology International. 21.1 (2000): 37-46. Print.
- West Geauga Middle School 8th grade girls. Personal Interview. 22 March 2012.
